John Godden was born in London on 20 July 1925, the son of Charles Frederick Godden, a textile merchant and importer, and his wife Margaret, née Strachan. He was educated at Charterhouse, Merton College, Oxford and St Bartholomew's Hospital, qualifying in 1950. He did his National Service in the RAMC in Malaya, then held junior posts at St Bartholomew's, at Luton and Dunstable and at Farnborough, Kent, where he specialised in oto-rhino-laryngology. He was much influenced by F C W Capps FRCS and J C Hogg FRCS (q.v.*Lives* 1965-73) and was later consultant surgeon to the Hereford Hospital Group. He was an excellent shot, shooting being his chief outside interest. He died suddenly on 15 February 1991, survived by his wife Marjorie, née Cundall, whom he had married in 1955.