Sir Arnold Elton was born on 14 February 1920. He trained at University College Hospital and qualified MB, BS in 1943. After house jobs at Charing Cross Hospital (where he was Gosse research scholar), St Peter’s Hospital for Stone and University College Hospital, he passed the fellowship of the college in 1946 and became a consultant at Northwick Park Hospital. A surgical tutor at the college, he was on the Court of Examiners. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the Hunterian Society. A founder member of the Conservative Medical Society (now Conservative Health) in 1975, he served as its first and most long serving chairman. To make an impact on political policy he worked closely with government health ministers and shadow ministers. He earned his knighthood largely through his contributions to the national breast cancer screening programme. A highly successful fundraiser, he supported many health charities, especially those dedicated to diabetes research. President Emeritus of Conservative Health, he was still active until his death on 3 October 2018 at the age of 98. He was survived by his partner June Mitchell.