Allan Isadore Friedmann was a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Eye Hospital. He was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on 15 June 1916 to Joseph and Matilda Friedmann. His father was a pharmacist. He was educated locally at Grey College School in Bloemfontein, matriculating with first class

James Bankes was born in Romiley, Cheshire, on 10 March 1935, the son of Reginald and Alice Bankes, who were both pharmacists. He was educated at King's School Macclesfield, King Edward VII School, King's Lynn, and the City University, London, before entering St Mary's Hospital Medical School where