Laurie was born in Hans Harbour, Newfoundland, on 17 November 1908 and trained at the University of Toronto School. His mother was Ethel, née Burns, a nurse, and his father was a GP and surgeon, a founder-member of the Toronto East General Hospital. His eldest son followed him as surgeon in charge.

Parry was born in Liverpool in 1915 and practised as a chartered masseur from 1933 to 1938 before studying medicine at University College Hospital, where he qualified in 1944. He subsequently held various posts at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and continued to attend weekly clinics there until his r