Herbert ('Bert') Agar was born in Grimsby, Yorkshire, on 10 December 1907, the son of Herbert William Agar, a science teacher, and Catherine (née Agar, but no relation) who was the daughter of a joiner and shipyard worker. He was educated at Wintringham School, Grimsby, where he won a scholarship to the University of Leeds and qualified MB ChB in 1932. He did his house hobs with Harold Collinson, R H Moir, L R Braithwaite and George Armitage. He served as major (surgical specialist) in the RAMC from 1940 to 1945. He specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology, gaining his MRCOG in 1942 and FRCOG in 1954. He was well known for the speed with which he made a decision, operated, and discharged his patients, thereby avoiding the worry of prolonged stays in hospital, and the associated risk of complications. It is said that his worried, suspicious expression combined with his thinness gave him the look of an 'undernourished bloodhound', but hid a quiet, sharp sense of humour. He married Lilian, née Raven, in 1939; they had one daughter, who died shortly after her second child was born. Agar died on 25 February 1995, survived by his two granddaughters.