Sankar Panikkar was born in Manchester in 1924 and educated at Manchester Grammar School and the University of Manchester, qualifying in 1948. After house appointments he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps with a National Service Commission in 1949 and served as medical officer in the Parachute Reg

Michael Anthony Brennan, usually known as Joe, was born on 8 September 1925 in Manchester. He was the son of Thomas Edward Brennan, manager of Finnigan's of Deansgate, Manchester, and Frances, née Mahon. He was educated at St Joseph's School, Moss Side, and Xaverian College, Victoria Park, under its