John Daniel Henry Bird was born in Longcot, Berkshire on 4 August 1908. His father, Daniel Henry, was a schoolmaster. He was educated at Ranelagh School, Bracknell, where he won a scholarship to King's College Hospital Medical School where he had a notable academic career. He gained a BSc in physiol

Sholto Forman was born at Beattock, Dumfriesshire, on 25 July 1915, the son of Reverend Adam Forman CBE, Chaplain to Loretto School 1907 to 1912, and Flora, née Smith. He was brought up at the family home at Craigielands, Dumfriesshire, with three brothers, all of whom were educated at Loretto befor