Hamilton Ellis Quick was born in Sydney on 13 November 1882, and when he was 18 months old was brought over to Swansea where he spent most of the rest of his active life. He went to Swansea Grammar School and then to the Royal College of Science, South Kensington where he graduated BSc in 1902. His

John Bookless was born on 5 March 1878 and received his education at Christ's College, Brecon, and Eastbourne College. In 1897 he went up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge with a mathematical scholarship, but after leaving the University he decided on a medical career and entered Guy's Hospital Medical Sch