Tom Milliken was born in Christchurch in 1925 to Thomas, a solicitor, and Winifred Kate. He had two younger sisters, Dawn and Betty. Tom commenced school at Fendalton Open Air School in 1930 and moved to Julius House at Christ's College in 1938. At the age of 16, and as a result of the death of his

Anthony D'Arcy Pelly qualified MB BS in Sydney in 1954. He passed the College Fellowship in 1957 and worked as senior registrar in the plastic surgery, burns and oral surgery centre at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, London. He became honorary plastic surgeon to the Balmain and District Hospital