Sir Ian Todd was one of the most distinguished colorectal surgeons of his generation. Internationally-known for his teaching and superlative operative technique, he became a reluctant president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He was the founder of stoma care nursing in the United Kingdo

Victor Fazio, or 'Vic' as everyone called him, defined colorectal surgery for a generation. For many he was 'the' colorectal surgeon, a dominating figure in the specialty, which he helped to develop and for which he provided leadership and inspiration. He was the youngest ever department chief when

Graeme Duthie was an academic colorectal surgeon based in Castle Hill Hospital, Hull. He was born and brought up in Aberdeen, attending both the grammar school and the university in that city. He qualified in medicine in 1983. He gained his FRCS from the Edinburgh College in 1987 and an MD with hono

Bernard Hand was born on 21 November 1919. His father, Ernest Francis Hand, was an architect and his mother, Mary, née Searle, was the daughter of an engineer. He was descended from Sir William Hillary, founder of the lifeboat service; as a consequence he gave constant support to the RNLI throughout

Lawrence Herbert Hansen was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1929 and after early education at Palmerston Boys' High School entered the University of Otago Medical School, qualifying in 1955. After early hospital appointments in Wellington he came to England to work as surgical registrar at

Roy Lawrence Willis Fink was born in Ballarat on 27 April 1938. His father was a state school headmaster and the family moved between various country towns, including Learmonth, Yea and Benalla, before moving to Ferntree Gully and subsequently Bentleigh. His early years were influenced by World War

Robert Thorlakson was a leading Winnipeg surgeon. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Paul Henrik Thorbjorn Thorlakson, a physician and chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, and his wife Gladys. Robert and his twin brother Ken were raised and educated in Winnipeg. Thorlakson served dur

Alastair Gunn was a much-loved and respected consultant general surgeon at Ashington Hospital, Northumberland, and later at its replacement, Wansbeck General Hospital. He had a major interest in colorectal disease and instigated and helped establish the NHS northern region's register of familial ade

John Hale was a consultant general and colorectal surgeon at Redhill in Surrey. He was born into a family of market gardeners in the Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire. He showed early academic promise and attended Prince Henry's Grammar School in Evesham, where he was head boy. He then gained a schola

Jim Guest died peacefully in Melbourne on 20th January 2015, during his 99th year. He had a distinguished career in surgery, medical education and civilian life. Jim was born in Mildura, the only child of Edith and James. His early education was at Mildura West State School and subsequently Geelong

Fred Collins was born in 1933, in Australia. His father was Frederick Herbert Collins, his mother Stella Anne Crollick. After junior posts at St Vincent's Hospital, he came to England to specialise in surgery. He returned to St Vincent's in 1961, as a general surgeon, his particular interest being c

'Sam' Mitchell was a consultant general surgeon in Swansea. He was born in Aberystwyth on 30 May 1926, where his father, Samuel, and mother, Doris née Finlay, were school teachers. He was educated at the County School in Aberystwyth and Cardiff University. His junior posts were on the professorial u