Born on 16 March 1869 at Stoneycroft, Green Lane, Liverpool, the fourth child and second son of John Edward Dickinson, owner of the Liver Block Works, Peter's Lane, Liverpool, and Elizabeth Humphreys, his wife. He was educated at the Merchant Taylor's School, Great Crosby, Liverpool and at Liverpool

Born on 8 December 1870 at Marlborough where his father was manager of the Bank, he followed his three elder brothers to Marlborough College and St Mary's Hospital, which he entered with a scholarship. He served as house surgeon, house physician, and resident obstetric officer, and intended to becom