Roger Stephen Davies was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in Wigan. He was born on 4 February 1942 in north Wales, the eldest son of T Davies, a general practitioner. His early years were spent in Mold. He and his two brothers were left fatherless when his father died prematurely from heart disease. This desperate situation was eased by the devotion of his mother and with the help of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, which supported all three boys with scholarships to Epsom College. Roger entered Liverpool Medical School and, following graduation, set upon a career in orthopaedics. As a student he had been a member of the Liverpool University Officer Training Corps attached to 12/13th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. On qualification he became regimental medical officer of the battalion, a post which gave him great pleasure, as well as the enjoyable experience of jumping out of aeroplanes. In 1973 he gained the degree of master of orthopaedic surgery. He successfully completed his postgraduate training and obtained a consultant post at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan. He was considered to be an excellent general orthopaedic surgeon who was highly regarded by his colleagues. Unfortunately, Roger became dependent on alcohol and his health began to deteriorate. Eventually he had to retire from NHS practice on health grounds. It was to his great credit that he overcame his alcohol dependency and began a second career as an expert in disability tribunals and in providing medico-legal opinions. He married Alison, a nurse, and they had a son, James. He and his wife retired to a beautiful cottage in his beloved Wales. All went well until Alison died suddenly, leaving Roger heartbroken. He died soon after. Roger was a quiet, kindly person who cared deeply for his patients. He loved the Welsh borders, where he had been brought up, and he enjoyed climbing the mountains of his native country.