Thompson graduated in science at the University of Manchester in 1938, and qualified there in 1941. After house appointments at Manchester Royal Infirmary, he was senior surgical registrar at Crumpsall Hospital. Having qualified during the second world war, Thompson joined the RAMC and, subsequen

John Francis Iffland was born in Salonika, Greece, on 22 June 1931 and, after early education at Palmer's School, Grays, Essex, and at Minster House School, Upminster, was admitted to the London Hospital Medical College. He qualified in 1954 and after early house officer appointments joined the Roya

Surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir Cyril May, formerly medical director-general of the Royal Navy, was born in London on 12 June, 1897, the only child of Robert and Clara May. His father practised as a dental surgeon. After education at South Belgravia Preparatory School and Westminster School he served in th

David Davison, known as 'DD', was born in Sutton, Surrey on 28 April 1932, the son of Edgar Davison, a Lloyds underwriter, and May, née Mould. He was educated at Sutton High School and the Royal Masonic School in Bushey, where he was head boy in 1950 and an outstanding athlete, winning the All-En

Ian Haywood was born on 3 October 1941. He was educated at Bedford School and St Thomas's Hospital, where he was a Kitchener scholar and won many prizes. As a student he held a Territorial Army commission, and in 1964 he took a regular commission with the RAMC, serving as MO to the Royal Welch Fusil

Denys Owen Williams was born in New Malden, Surrey, on 24 February 1918, the son of Robert Owen Williams, a deputy chief clerk, and Ruth Matilda, née Fairclough. He was educated at Surbiton Grammar School, matriculating in 1933. His medical studies were undertaken at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington,

Colonel Derrick Orry Hunt Messent was a surgeon in the RAMC. He was born on 19 June 1922. He studied medicine at Sydney University, qualified in 1946 and gained his FRCS in 1964. He wrote a joint paper on spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus (‘Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus with unusual

Sir Cameron Moffat had the unique distinction of being the country's first surgeon general since the death of John Hunter in 1793. The post had lapsed until 1985, when he was appointed to the role. He was born on 8 September 1929 in Glasgow, the son of William Weir Moffat, a civil servant, and his w

Francis Wilfred Peter Dixon was born in Australia and educated at Newman College and Melbourne University where he graduated in 1930. He joined the Royal Air Force Medical Service in the same year. After serving abroad in Iraq and Aden as medical officer to 33 and 101 Squadrons he was posted to Abin

Leonard Dudley Heaton was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on 18 November 1902, the son of George and Emma Heaton, and after early education attended Denison University at Granville, Ohio, before entering the University of Louisville, Kentucky, for his Doctor of Medicine degree, awarded in 1926.

Kenneth David Ellis served in the RAMC as a Lieutenant-Colonel and retired to Poole in Dorset. He died on 24 April 1997 survived by his wife and family.

Robert Scott was born in Belfast, the son of Thomas Montgomery Scott, a grocer, and his wife Margaret, née Spence, on 16 August 1929. He was to follow the tradition of many Irish doctors in making his career in the army. After early education at Campbell College in Belfast he gained a closed scholar