John Hayward was a pioneer, specialising in breast surgery before this was a recognised discipline. He was as much a scientist as a surgeon, bringing rigour to the investigation of the causes and treatment of breast cancer. The son of an architect, he was born on 26 April 1923 in Westcliff-on-Sea, E

Andrew Gaston Jessiman was a surgeon and hospital administrator at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston. He was also assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. Born in London on 13 January 1949, he was the son of George Gaston Jessiman, a stockbroker on the London Stock Exchange, a

Anthony Wynn Michael Carton Owen was a consultant surgeon at Wharfedale General Hospital, Otley. He was born on 8 April 1943 in Pinner, Middlesex, the first of seven children born to Annie and William Owen. His parents met and married in London. His mother, then Annie Daly, a Westmeath lady from Gar

Ann Elizabeth Johnson studied medicine at London University and graduated MB, BS in 1965. She passed the fellowship of the college in 1960. In 1965 she obtained the diploma in medical radiology technology from University College Hospital Medical School and, ten years later, became a fellow of the R

Robert Pope Melville was a consultant general and breast surgeon in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was born at Wollongong, New South Wales on 23 May 1913. One of five children, his father, Hector Pope Melville, a school principal and advocate for education, encouraged his sons and daughters

Ronald Geoffrey Kay was a caring, compassionate surgeon of considerable humility who set high standards of clinical excellence, demonstrating insight and respect for his patients. He was a trusted, respected and valued colleague sought out as a mentor and teacher by many New Zealand surgeons and tra

Neil Rothnie was a consultant breast surgeon and medical director of Southend Hospital. He was born into a family with a well-known name in the world of surgery: his father Norman Rothnie, who trained at Barts, was a vascular surgeon at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and was also chairman o

Jerry Gilmore was a consultant general surgeon at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, where he established the pioneering breast unit. He was born on 27 December 1941, a much-loved son of Owen Dermot Gilmore and Carmel Gilmore née Cantwell. His father was a respected and successful family doctor and

David Anthony Berstock was born in Manchester on 14 September 1946. He was the only son of Ellia Berstock, a general practitioner, and his wife Rene née Hall. Educated at Stockport Grammar School, he trained in medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and London University, graduating MB, BS in 1970. H

Colin Teasdale was a consultant general surgeon at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. He was born in Leeds on 26 June 1945 to Alan Wainwright Teasdale and Eva Teasdale née Rowley He had an older sister, Jean, who trained as a dietitian, and a younger brother, Eric, became an occupational medicine consul

Sir Patrick McEwen Forrest was regius professor of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh. Pat, as he was known to all, was a giant of British and international surgery, and his contributions to the management of breast cancer were immense. He was born in Lanarkshire, the son of Andrew

Richard Nigel Leetall Harland was a consultant general surgeon in Wigan. He was born on 1 April 1952 in York. He studied medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London and qualified with the MB BS in 1974. He gained his FRCS in 1979 and an MD in 1985. Prior to his consultant appointment