Eric John Greenwood was born on 10 October 1902 in Greenwich, London, the only son of Eustace Noel Greenwood, an accountant and former mayor of Greenwich, and Gertrude Freida Scarr. He was educated at the Rowan School, Greenwich, before starting medicine at Guy's Hospital in 1918. He then went to Downing College, Cambridge, obtaining his MA MB BCh and Primary Fellowship. He held house appointments at Guy's Hospital and the Royal Northern Hospital where he came under the influence of W N Mollinson and Sir Lancelot Barrington-Ward. In 1929, he joined the staff of St Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester, beginning a close relationship with this hospital which he maintained for fifty years, being one of the brethren at the time of his death. In 1930 he married Dorothy Helen Jones. Greenwood settled in Rochester where he practised with Dr Green. His first hospital appointment was as an anaesthetist, but after he obtained his FRCS he was appointed honorary consultant surgeon in 1935. With the advent of the National Health Service in 1948, he gave up general practice and continued as consultant surgeon until his retirement in 1967. His great attachment to his hospital was exemplified by the research and publications carried out about its origin, especially the chapel dating back to AD 1097. He became a serving brother of the Order of St John and held grand rank in Freemasonry. On his retirement from surgery, he became a visitor to the Borstal Institution and spent much time helping his wife with her charitable work in the locality. He was an active BMA supporter; a member of the local executive committee from 1932 to 1969 and treasurer from 1953 to 1964. He served on the ethical committee from 1953 to 1977 and was BMA representative on the local EMS committee. Greenwood was well loved and respected by his partners and his friends throughout the Medway district. He died at his home on 27 July, 1979 survived by his wife Helen and his son and daughter, both of whom are in general practice.