Born 19 May 1875 at 14 Seaton Terrace, Mutley, Plymouth, eldest child of Lewis Charles Thomson, accountant with the Admiralty, and Julia Boase, his wife. He was educated at Blackheath High School, and at Guy's Hospital, where he served as house surgeon and as obstetric registrar. He served also for

Born in London on 9 June 1861, the sixth child and fourth son of John Henry Spreat, jeweller, and Harriet Jones, his wife. He was educated at Aldenham School until he entered St Bartholomew's Hospital. He acted for a time as resident medical officer at the Metropolitan Hospital before settling at Fi