Born in 1881 second son of Charles Stewart White of Hampstead, he was educated at University College and after qualification held various posts at University College Hospital, was resident medical officer at Queen Charlotte's Hospital (1907), and at the Samaritan Hospital for Women was house surgeon

Born on 23 January 1879 at Hackney, where his father was a builder and slate merchant, the family prospered and moved to Enfield, but his father died young and "Freddy" was brought up by his mother, whom he resembled in vivid good looks and alert mentality. He was educated at the London Hospital, qu