Stuart Cameron was born on 6 December 1926, in Wellington, New Zealand. His early education was in Wellington and later at the Hutt Valley High School there. He studied medicine at Otago Medical School and graduated in 1951. After house surgeon years in Wellington and Palmerston North he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on a short service commission which allowed him to go overseas for post-graduate studies after a tour of duty as medical officer. While he was at Palmerston North his interest in orthopaedics was aroused by Richard Dawson, and he demonstrated his interest and clinical acumen at the Air Force Base at Wigram. There he decided on a career in orthopaedics and came to England for further experience and training. In England he held posts at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and at the Watford General Hospital to learn about the surgery of trauma. Here he came under the influence of another New Zealander, Karl Nissen, who helped many New Zealanders in their training. He then served an apprenticeship under Professor Seddon and his team in the peripheral nerve unit. This led him to a special interest in peripheral nerve and hand surgery. He took his MRCS, followed immediately by the FRCS in 1960. On returning to New Zealand he joined the orthopaedic department at Christchurch Hospital, first as a senior registrar, then as a full-time orthopaedic surgeon and finally in 1965 on the visiting staff. He remained on the North Canterbury Hospital Board till January 1976 when he decided to devote himself full-time to private practice. He was a decisive and outspoken man, quick-tempered and with a distinctive turn of phrase which did not endear him to everyone. He was, however, quick-witted and full of fun and the colleagues who knew him well admired the high standards which he demanded of himself and others. He was totally honest and would bitterly regret any unforeseen results of his impetuosity. Saddened by disappointments he gradually withdrew from public activities. He had been a notable rugby player and cricketer, and remained devoted to outdoor life with gun and rod. He became a keen forester, and planted many thousands of trees himself on his holiday property at Port Underwood. He died on 22 March 1984, after a long illness, aged 57.