Courtenay Yorke was born at Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, on 18 May 1884, the son of a Methodist Minister. He was educated at Epworth College, near Rhyl, North Wales, and at University College, Liverpool (now University of Liverpool) where he graduated MB ChB in 1905. He also obtained the MB BS degr

Edward Woodman was born in Hornsey, London on 19 October 1884. His father was a chartered accountant. He was at school in Barnet and later in Bromley before entering St Bartholomew's Hospital where he passed the MB BS with honours and distinction in 1908. He worked at the Institute of Pathology unde