Francis Louis was born in 1900, and went for his medical education to University College, London where he qualified with the Conjoint Diploma in 1922, proceeding to the London University degree in 1924. In 1926 he obtained the FRCS and then held posts in general surgery in various London hospitals,

Born on 4 May 1898 at Hornsey, Middlesex, the third son of Alick Wellstead Capener, an engineer, and Ada Isabella Tree, Norman Capener was one of six brothers, all of whom were educated at the City of London School through musical scholarships in the choir of the Temple Church, London, where, under