Arnold Eley qualified at Charing Cross and after junior posts did his National Service in the RAMC as a junior surgical specialist. On leaving the Army he was registrar at the Connaught Hospital under J Thompson Fathi and surgical first assistant at St George's before being appointed to the Surrey H

Neville Rees was a former medical director of Saudi Medicare and a medical superintendent in Perth, Australia. He was born in Gorseinon, near Swansea, on 20 February 1922, the son of David Cyril Rees, a steel worker, and Olwen Elizabeth née Clark. From Gowerton Boys Grammar School he went to the Lon

Philip Goldstein was a general surgeon in Manitoba, Canada. He was born in Sawin, Poland, the son of Joseph Goldstein, a rabbi, and Chana Rivka Goldstein née Justman. He moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, at the age of 14 and, despite not knowing English upon his arrival, graduated from high school four

Osler Lister Thomas was born in Hong Kong on 20 May 1921, the son of George Harold Thomas, a surgeon and fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Nora Thomas née Gourdin, the daughter of a chartered accountant. His younger brother also became a fellow of the College. Thomas studied medicine at

Richard Oliver was a general surgeon who lived in Anglesey. He qualified MB, BS in 1948 and passed the conjoint diploma the same year. He did his national service as a captain in the RAMC and then proceeded to the fellowship of the College in 1954. After early surgical posts at the Brompton Hospital

Norman Henry Birch was a general surgeon at the East Riding General District Hospital, Driffield, and the Lloyd Hospital in Bridlington. Born on 19 November 1932 in Leeds, he came from a working class home. After attending Leeds Grammar School and obtaining his school certificate in July 1940 at the

Bill Southwood was born in London on 8 June 1925, the son of Stuart Walter Southwood, a dental surgeon, and Mildred Mary, the daughter of an heraldic stationer. He was educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Cambridge, before going on to Guy's in 1945. He qualified with a gold medal in obstetr

John Griffiths was one of the leading cancer surgeons of his day, a consultant surgeon at both St Bartholomew's and the Royal Marsden. Born in Llanelli, Wales, on 31 March 1926, he was the younger brother of Evan Griffiths (see above q.v.), and the son of the town's main grocer, Edgar Griffiths, and

Richard Pryer was born on 20 September 1924. After education at St Peter's School, York, he entered the London Hospital and graduated in 1947. After serving as house surgeon at the London Hospital he was appointed resident surgical officer at Tindal General Hospital, Aylesbury, in 1948. The followin

Malcolm May was born in Gravesend, Kent, on 16 October 1919, the son of John George May, a Trinity House pilot, and Aileen (née Reynolds). He was educated at Gravesend Grammar School and Guy's Hospital, qualifying by the Conjoint examination in 1942. He joined the Royal Navy as Surgeon-Lieutenant, s

Michael Anthony Brennan, usually known as Joe, was born on 8 September 1925 in Manchester. He was the son of Thomas Edward Brennan, manager of Finnigan's of Deansgate, Manchester, and Frances, née Mahon. He was educated at St Joseph's School, Moss Side, and Xaverian College, Victoria Park, under its

John McKessar Duncan was a consultant general surgeon at the Guest Hospital, Dudley, and at the Corbett Hospital, Stourbridge. He was known in and around the Black Country as 'Mr Duncan', at once implying respect, recognition and renown. He was born on 1 February 1919 and grew up in Birmingham. At t