Born in 1911, Boyle was educated at Ilkley Grammar School and Leeds University Medical School. After qualifying in 1935 Boyle successively was aural officer at the Leeds General and aural surgeon at Dewsbury Infirmary and an ENT specialist in the Royal Air Force, before becoming consultant ENT surge

Gordon Midgley received his medical training at the Westminster Hospital Medical School where he qualified in 1937 and proceeded to house appointments at the Charing Cross Hospital. In 1938 he joined a general practice in Winchester and also the Territorial Army. He was called up in 1939 and served