William Henry Hyde Joseph de Wolffe de Wytt was born on 20 November 1910 at Wood Green, London. His father had at one time been Professor of Pharmacology in the University at Aberdeen. He was educated at Holloway Secondary School, St Bartholomew's Hospital and after his father's death, at University College, Dublin. He qualified MRCS LRCP London in 1935 and held several resident appointments in London and Liverpool. He served in the RAMC from 1939 to 1946 as a Major and surgical specialist. He obtained the FRCSI and FRCS in 1949 and the MCh Orth, Liverpool, in 1951. He was appointed consultant orthopaedic surgeon to the North East Health Region and consultant orthopaedic surgeon St Joseph's Hospital for Children in 1952 and held these posts until 1975. He married Kathleen Vicker in 1939 who was a doctor and they had two daughters, both of whom qualified in medicine. He was on the Council of the Medical Union from 1965 to 1970 and was President, 1969 to 1970. He was a member of the NE Health Board from 1970 to 1977. He had many interests: horticulture, especially roses and orchids, amateur dramatics, music, archaeology, antiques and travel. He died on 18 July 1977.