John William Gummer, known as 'Peter', was a gastrointestinal surgeon at the Central Middlesex Hospital in London. He was born on 29 December 1918 and studied medicine at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School. He qualified in 1941. Prior to his appointment as a consultant, he was a house surgeon at Woking War Hospital, a temporary surgeon lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and a resident surgical officer at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. At the Central Middlesex Hospital he had a close working relationship with Francis Avery Jones, the renowned gastroenterologist. Gummer's practice included both upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery. He treated many of Avery Jones' patients with colitis and had a vast number of peptic ulcer referrals. He was an excellent technical surgeon and was also interested in training his junior staff. He was always available to discuss and advise on emergencies. He was popular with his colleagues. Predeceased by his wife Joyce and their son Richard, he died on 4 February 2014 in Colchester General Hospital. He was 95. He was survived by his son James and daughter Elizabeth.