Charles Robert Griffin was born in 1919 and educated at Morgan's School and Wesley College, Dublin. He qualified at Trinity College, Dublin in 1941, gaining the Hudson Prize in gynaecology together with first class honours in surgery and bacteriology. After appointments at Dublin, Hammersmith and Oswestry he joined the RAF in 1942 and spent the war years serving in North Africa, Italy and Palestine. In 1948 he applied for training in general surgery and, after various appointments in RAF hospitals took the FRCS in 1957, subsequently devoting his undoubted talents and surgical skill to orthopaedic surgery. An outstanding career in this speciality was recognised by his appointments as consultant advisor in orthopaedic surgery in 1970, as an Honorary Surgeon to the Queen in 1976, and as senior consultant to the RAF in 1978 with the rank of Air Vice-Marshall. He was appointed CB in 1978 and was a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, a fellow of the British Orthopaedic Association, and a member of the Oswestrian Orthopaedic Society. Keenly interested in the treatment of traumatic lesions and dermal ulceration with hyperbaric oxygen, 'Paddy' Griffin was one of the pioneers of the hyperbaric oxygen unit set up at RAF Hospital Wroughton. He was devoted both to his profession and to the RAF and set a fine example in all he did - in his care for his patients, his firm support and understanding of the nursing profession, and his deep personal interest in the postgraduate training of his juniors. He was a man of high principles, infinite kindliness and sympathy and he bore his last illness with fortitude and courage. He died on 8 June 1979 after a long illness and was survived by his wife and two sons.