Born at Simla, India on 26 December 1854, the second child and only son of Francis Perry and Cecilia Dalton, his wife. He was educated at Mill Hill School and entered University College Hospital in October 1872, where he won the Atkinson-Morley scholarship in 1877 and the Fellowes medal. Here he served as house surgeon for six months in 1876. He then acted as demonstrator of anatomy and surgical tutor at Westminster Hospital for a year from March 1877. On 31 May 1879 he entered the Indian Medical Service, passing first into Netley and gaining the Herbert scholarship, the Parkes medal for hygiene, and the Martin medal for medicine. Proceeding to India he did two years' military service with the Bengal Cavalry, and in March 1882 was posted to the newly opened Punjab Medical College at Lahore, where he filled the posts of professor of chemistry and chemical examiner to the Government. He acted as professor of ophthalmology in the Calcutta Medical College from April to November 1888, was appointed professor of surgery in December 1888, and was selected as the first surgeon to the Mayo Hospital at Lahore. In 1894 he became principal of the Calcutta Medical College, retaining at the same time his professorship of surgery. He was promoted surgeon-major on 31 March 1891, and was gazetted lieutenant-colonel on 31 March 1899. In November 1901 he was appointed honorary surgeon to the Viceroy of India, and on 26 June 1908 he became a Companion of the Indian Empire. He appeared in the select list for promotion on 29 March 1905, and retired with an extra pension on 14 June 1909. He rejoined the Indian Army during the war of 1914-18, and was placed in command of the Indian Hospitals at Brockenhurst, Hants, and served from November 1914 to 1917. His services were mentioned in despatches on 27 July 1917, when he had already been decorated CMG on 4 June 1917. He married in 1900 Madeleine, the second daughter of D Clunis Gordon; she survived him, but there were no children. He died on 5 February 1940 at Headley Grange, Hants, aged 85.