Keren Parkes was born on 18 December 1904 in Dulwich, the only daughter of Alexander Parkes, an accountant. She was educated at Streatham College for Girls, Somerville House, St Leonards-on-Sea and went on to King's College and King's College Hospital. At the age of twelve she decided that she wante

David Michael Stern was born in Burton-on-Trent on 22 October 1903. His father was Arthur Landauer Stern, a chemist and brewer, his mother, Grace Madelein née Falck. He was educated at first at the Burton Grammar School, and then went with his younger brother to Clifton College, from which he won an