Born in 1930, David Fairbairn was educated at Oxford and St Bartholomew's Hospital. He qualified in 1955 and after junior posts and National Service decided to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology. He was appointed consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Kingston Hospital, where he achieved one of the lowest perinatal mortality rates in England. A keen oarsman, having rowed for his college at Oxford, he continued to row, was a regular visitor to Henley, and a passionate francophile and cook (he came third in *The Observer* cookery competition). Tragically he developed a malignant melanoma, spending his last days in his house in Bagnois-en-Forêt in southern France, and died on 4 June 1995, aged 65. He was survived by his wife, Shirley, son Michael and daughter Lesley.