Arthur Pain was born on 13 July 1904 in Brixton, his father, Arthur Thruston was a clerk in holy orders and his mother's maiden name was Annie Tatchell. He was educated at Bedale Grammar School Yorks, and later attended the Central High School, Leeds. Pain then proceeded to Leeds University and qualified from there in 1927. After qualification he held numerous posts at the General Infirmary Leeds and then was appointed first resident surgical officer and later surgical tutor, a post he held for a year. In 1927 he joined the RAMC (TA) and in 1929 attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, being released for civilian duties in 1940. In 1934 he was appointed to the staff of the Infirmary as assistant surgeon to the orthopaedic department, becoming honorary surgeon in 1944 and consultant surgeon on his retirement in 1969. In 1945 he became honorary secretary of the faculty of the General Infirmary, an office he held till 1960. In 1960 he held the post of Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for nine years and from 1945 onwards he was able to indulge his abiding interest in medical administration. Before retirement he also served on the Board of Governors, the Leeds Regional Hospital Board and the General Medical Council. In 1933 he married Miss Webb, a ward sister in the Infirmary, and they had one son. Arthur Pain died at his home on 17 May 1973 and was survived by his wife and son.