Francis John Ensell was born on 27 May 1926 and graduated in medicine at Birmingham in 1949. He held house appointments at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the General Hospital, Birmingham, and took the FRCS in 1960. He had served in the Royal Air Force and was awarded the George Medal for bravery while station medical officer at Biggin Hill, when he saved the life of a semi-conscious pilot whom he dragged from a blazing aircraft. He was chief medical officer to the British Aircraft Corporation, Filton, Bristol, and consultant occupational health physician to Bristol University and to the West of England Engineering Employers' Association. He was remembered by his colleagues in occupational health and general practice as an enthusiast in his field and as a staunch friend. He died in July 1975 aged 49, survived by his wife and daughters.