Ivan Stuart Wilson was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1883. After qualifying in medicine from the University of Otago he came to England for postgraduate experience. He was demonstrator of anatomy at the London Hospital under Professor William Wright and then worked at the Chelsea Hospital for Women with Victor Bonney. He completed the FRCS in 1912 and enlisted in the RAMC on the outbreak of the first world war. Serving as regimental medical officer with the first battalion of the Scots Guards he was awarded the Military Cross with bar and was twice mentioned in dispatches. He is reported to have suffered a severe chest wound in 1916 but returned to active service with the Guards Division and then with the Army of Occupation in Germany after the war. On returning to New Zealand in 1920 he had recurring disability from war wounds and switched his talents to medicine, becoming a foundation Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1938. On the outbreak of the second world war he became Assistant Director of Medical Services at Army Headquarters, and was appointed OBE and honorary physician to the Governor General in 1943. He then served overseas as commanding officer of the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital in Italy. He was demobilised with the rank of Brigadier to become a medical member of the War Pensions Board and President of the 'Old Contemptibles' Association. Throughout his life he had earned the respect and affection of the community and the esteem and friendship of his colleagues. Outside his professional work he was interested in music, art and literature. His son, Dr Ivan S Wilson, practises in Wanganui. He was survived by his wife and son when he died on 29 December 1963.