William Sewell received his medical education at Guy's Hospital, qualifying with the conjoint diploma in 1940 and obtaining the London MB BS in 1952, having previously gained his FRCS in 1950. He was surgical registrar at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, before becoming senior surgical registrar a

John Gwithian Craddock received his education at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at St Mary's Hospital Medical School. After service in the RNVR as a Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander he spent the earlier years of his career in Africa, first at Dar-es-Salaam, and from 1956 to 1962 as surgical specialis

Robert Oliver Wheeler studied medicine at King's College, London and qualified MB BS in 1941. He passed the Conjoint Diploma in 1940 and the FRCS ten years later. He was surgical registrar to St Stephen's Hospital, London, and to Horton Hospital, Epsom, before becoming medical officer to Savernake H

Geoffrey Channing was born on 22 March 1916 at Bushey in London, the son of William Channing, an antiques valuer, and his wife Alice, née Stevens. He was educated at Latymer Upper School, West London, and Guy's Hospital Medical School, where he was awarded the Golding Bird Prize in obstetrics and