Sidney Ward Allinson was born in Alford, Lincolnshire on 12 July 1904, one of identical twins. His brother, Francis, was also FRCS, and died in 1990. He was educated at Aldenham School and University College Hospital. He subsequently joined the Indian Medical Service and worked as a civil surgeon in

Enid Rockstro was born on 17 December 1902 in Halesowen, Worcestershire, the daughter of Frank Braine Rockstro, a general practitioner, whose father was a leading flautist and musician of his time, and whose uncle was the well known musician, Sir William Rockstro. Her mother, Elaine Mary, née Ashby,

William (Bill) Tandy was born on 9 September 1904, one of the three sons of W S Tandy, a jeweller, and Ann, née Hickman. He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, and St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School. After qualification in 1927 he worked as a surgical registrar at the General Hos

Ralph Francis Phillips was born in London on 8 May 1903 the son of Lorraine Phillips, a printer, and Emma, née Kerrison. At the age of ten he went to Christ's Hospital, where he remained for nine years until he entered St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School. There he won the junior scholarship in

Stanley Livingstone Wilson was born at Dannevirke, New Zealand, in 1905, and was educated at Dannevirke High School where he was head prefect and captain of the cricket and rugby teams. While at school he played for Hawke's Bay at cricket and secured many prizes as well as a university entrance scho