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

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

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