Geoffrey Cashell, born in 1906, was educated at Westminster School, London, before starting his medical training at King's College Hospital, where he qualified LMSSA and MRCS LRCP in 1930. 1933 was an eventful year: he passed the MB BS London and the FRCS Edinburgh and was appointed honorary consultant ophthalmic surgeon to Reading and district hospitals. His choice of specialty was shared with his cousin Keith Lyle, eminent ophthalmologist on the honorary consultant staff at King's. He pursued a distinguished career in Reading, where he built up an outstanding eye department. He established a school of orthoptics, and devoted much of his time to the training of the young orthoptists there. He took on a heavy load of medical administration, and was a prime mover in fund-raising for the Postgraduate Medical Centre. In 1966 he was invited to collaborate with Isabel Durran on the *Handbook of orthoptic principles*, which became a classic text. His achievements were rewarded with many honours in later years. He was ophthalmic consultant to the RAF medical service, honorary Fellow of the Australasian College of Ophthalmologists and the recipient of an honorary DSc at Reading University. He was a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Master of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, treasurer of the Faculty of Ophthalmology and Chairman of the British Orthoptic Board. Bernard Cashell was a man of great personal charm who achieved much through careful planning and determination. He went on to enjoy a lengthy retirement as the devoted father of two sons, Patrick and Peter, and nine grandchildren. He died in 1994; sadly his beloved wife Hilda had predeceased him.