Iorwerth Havard Griffiths, always affectionately known as 'Griff', was born at Barry in Glamorgan on 12 January 1909. His father Roland was a master baker and caterer and his mother Celia, née Havard, a housewife. His older brother, G J Griffiths FRCS (1901-1987) was consultant surgeon at Bedford. H

Joseph Mason qualified from St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1935 and received his training in surgery at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary. He had a special interest in urology and was resident medical officer at St Paul's Hospital. He was consultant surgeon to Hull and East Riding H