Alan Gillespie was born on 25 May 1928. He studied medicine at London University and trained at University College Hospital (UCH), graduating MB, BS with first class honours in 1951. After initial house jobs at UCH and the Samaritan Hospital for Women in London, he was appointed senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology to the Charing Cross group of hospitals. In 1958 he passed the fellowship of the college and passed the fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1974. He joined the staff of the West Surrey and North East Hampshire Health Trust as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Frimley Park Hospital where he worked until he retired. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. A keen gardener throughout his life, he had a passion for growing sweet peas. Football was also an enthusiasm and he followed both Aldershot Town and Farnborough football clubs, serving as club doctor for both teams. He enjoyed travelling and went on many cruises throughout the world. He also loved to dance. His first wife Sheila, the mother of his first four children, predeceased him, as did his sister, Jean. He died on 7 September 2019 in Frimley Park Hospital aged 91 and was survived by his wife Mavis, his older brother Ronald, his second wife Gillian and his five children Nicholas, Timothy, Fiona, Juliette and James.