Thomas Geoffrey Barlow was born in Eccles on 25 September 1915 and was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Victoria University, Manchester. In 1936 he took a science degree in anatomy and maintained an interest in comparative anatomy throughout his career. He graduated in medicine in 1939 and held surgical and orthopaedic appointments at the Royal Albert Infirmary, Wigan. He joined the RAF Medical Service in 1941 and worked at the RAF Hospital, Rauceby, where there was an excellent orthopaedic centre. After demobilisation he held posts at Ancoats and the Hope Hospital and obtained the FRCS in 1949. That year he was appointed senior registrar in orthopaedics to the Salford Group of Hospitals. He was appointed consultant in orthopaedics to the Ashton Hyde and Glossop Hospitals in 1951 and the following year consultant to the Salford Group. He became greatly interested in congenital dislocation of the hip, and examined every baby born in the Hope Hospital. He devised a simple test for instability in the new-born and invented a splint for use within the first week of life. He had an annual follow-up of all cases in his clinic. He delivered a paper to the British Orthopaedic Association in 1961 and several to the Royal Society of Medicine. He was dedicated to his work and maintained high ethical standards. He was sincere and kind although rather shy and reserved. He spoke with authority and held definite views on certain aspects of the National Health Service. His interests included photography and cars. He spent much of his leisure sailing at Rhyl where he was honorary medical officer to the life boat station. He was also an active Mason and endeared himself to a circle of friends who enjoyed his company, humour and hospitality. His first wife died in 1972. He had two sons and a daughter by this marriage. He married again in 1974. He died at his home in Abergele on 25 May 1975.