Michael McBrien was a general surgeon with an interest in urology at the West Suffolk and Newmarket hospitals. He was born on 4 July 1935 in Maidstone, Kent to Leo Patrick McBrien, a general practitioner, and Elizabeth Rosemary McBrien née Phillips, the daughter of a farmer, and had three sisters.

Martyn was born in London on 6 August 1935. His father, Sir Clement Price Thomas, was surgeon to King George VI, President of the BMA, the Association of Surgeons, the Royal Society of Medicine and Vice-President of the College. His mother was Dorrie Ricks. He was educated at Leighton Park and then