Michael Patkin was a general surgeon at Whyalla Hospital, South Australia, who was recognised internationally for his pioneering and life-long work on surgical ergonomics, particularly for microsurgical and laparoscopic procedures. He was born in Melbourne on 22 May 1933, the son of Hemda and Benzio

Godfrey William Arthur was a consultant general surgeon to Worthing District Health Authority. He was born on 17 October 1931 in Pontypool, Gwent, South Wales, the only son of William Arthur, a company director with a building firm, and Elizabeth Arthur née Walby, a nurse. He went to school at the J

Tony Bull was an ENT surgeon at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London. He was born on 21 December 1934 in Bath, Somerset, the son of Henry Bull, a dentist. He was educated at Monkton Combe School, where he excelled academically and on the sports field, playing tennis for Somerset

Lancelot Newton Dowie was born in Aberdeen on 13 August 1930, the son of Alexander Morrison Dowie, a banker and his wife Frances Elena née Newton. He had a brother who later became a GP in Scotland. After attending the Glasgow Academy he trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, qualifying in

John Robey Cobbett was a consultant plastic surgeon at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, and Lewisham Hospital. He was born on 5 May 1930, the third son of Claude Racster Cobbett, a company director, and Constance Evelyn Anne Cobbett née Robey. From the age of four, following the death of his

Geoffrey John Sadow was born on 22 January 1930 in Cricklewood, London. His father, Alexander Sadow, was an accountant and his mother was Anne née Wildman. Their only child, he suffered a freak accident when playing football at the age of seven. Without suitable medication, he suffered septicaemia a

John Monk was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in Liverpool. He was educated in South Africa, at the Christian Brothers' College in Bokburg. After finishing his schooling, he worked in the family business and then went to the UK, hoping to start an acting career, but soon realised he wanted to be a

John Oliver Kilby was a consultant surgeon in north Gloucestershire. He was born on 21 November 1933 in Brentford, Middlesex, the son of Bernard William Kilby and Ruth Emily Kilby née Howse. He studied medicine at Charing Cross Medical School and qualified in 1958. He gained his fellowship of the

James McGillivray Jackson (‘Jimmy’) was an ENT surgeon at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds. He was born on 24 February 1932 in the Lowlands of Scotland, the son of a dentist. He had two brothers and one sister, and went to a boarding school in Scotland. When he was 18 he carried out his Nation

Barrie Samuel Jay was professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University of London. He was born in London on 7 May 1929, the son of Maurice Bernard Jay, a medical practitioner, and Julia Sterling Jay, a housewife. He attended Perse School and then Gonville and Caius Co

Reza Larizadeh was born on 28 August 1934 in Ahraz, Southern Iran. He came to England and studied at the Edgbaston School of Science and the University of Wales. In 1958 he took the Conjoint Diploma and the MB BCh and the FRCS in 1962. Before returning to Iran he held appointments at Cardiff, Sheffi

Desmond Rosborough was born on 31 May 1932 and educated at Epsom College and St Bartholomew's Hospital. After graduating MB BS MRCS LRCP in 1956 he became a house surgeon in his teaching hospital. He then gained experience in general surgery and was registrar at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospit