John Howell Hughes was born on 25 October 1908, in Liverpool, to John Hughes, a builder, and Anne Ellen, née Williams. He was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School, where he was captain of rugby, and went on to study medicine at Liverpool University. After qualifying, he was house surgeon and hous

Andrew Killey Monro was the son of James Donald Monro MD, of London, and Beatrice, née Killey. His grandfather was also a medical doctor. He was born on 27 August 1907 in London and was educated at Highgate Junior School, Epsom College and Pembroke College, Cambridge. He trained at the London Hospit