Born in London on 27 April 1887, second son of John McNair of Paisley, an underwriter at Lloyds, he was educated at Aldenham School, Emmanuel College, Cambridge where he took second-class honours in Natural Sciences, and at Guy's Hospital. During the first world war he served with the Royal Navy and

Aleck William Bourne was born on 4 June 1886 at Wilstone, Herts., and educated at Rydal School, Colwyn Bay, and at Downing College, Cambridge. In 1908 he was placed first class in the Natural Sciences Tripos and the same year became senior university scholar at St Mary's Hospital, London. He qualifi