Born on 18 December 1893, in Chungking, China, son of C J Davenport FRCS, Robert Cecil Davenport was educated at Mill Hill School and St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he qualified in 1916, and then joined the RAMC, serving as a captain in the first world war. After demobilisation he returned to St B

Ida Mann was born in London on 6 February 1893, the only daughter of Frederick Mann OBE, a civil servant, and Ellen (née Packham). She was educated at Wycombe House School, London, and at the London Polytechnic before proceeding to the London School of Medicine for Women and St Mary's Hospital, Padd