Born on 7 June 1908, the second son of John Gay French, FRCS and his wife, Elinor May, younger daughter of Francis Stafford Pipe-Wolferstan, of Statfold. His grandfather, Lieutenant-Colonel John Gay French, IMS, was also a Fellow of the College (see *Plarr's Lives* 1930, 1, 422). Stanley Gay Fren

William John Ferguson spent his boyhood in Cumbria and from there went to London to study medicine at Guy's Hospital, qualifying MRCS, LRCP in 1929 and MB BS in London in 1931. He embarked on a surgical career at once, passing his Fellowship in 1932 and his London MS in 1933, for which he was awarde

Clifford David Phillips Jones studied medicine at University College Hospital and during his student days played rugby for the Welsh International team as well as for his hospital. After qualifying in 1931 he was initially appointed house surgeon at University College Hospital and later at the Royal

Jack Albert White was born on 5 May 1906, the son of Edward James White, a colour lithographer and his wife Mabel, née Rollings. He was educated at Emmanuel School, Wandsworth, and, after two years, obtained a scholarship to Sutton Valence School, whence he was awarded an entrance scholarship to St

Born in Bromley, Kent on 12 May 1905, Gaffer, as he was always known, was educated at Brighton College and St Thomas's Hospital where he was to spend most of his professional life. The second son of a solicitor, perhaps the immense attention to detail which characterised his work was due to his earl

Desmond Kyran Mulvany was born in Portsmouth on 8 July 1907, the son of Dr John Mulvany, a general practitioner and an alderman of the City of Portsmouth, and his wife Eileen. His early education was at St John's College, Southsea, and St George's College, Weybridge, before entering King's College H

Stanley Willson Holmes was born in Reading on 1 October 1906, the son of Arthur Perceval Holmes, a company director and Emily Mabel Mills, sister of Bertram Mills the circus proprietor. His early education was at Hendon Preparatory School and University College School, Hampstead, after which he ente

Ambrose Stevens ('Steve') was born in Colombo, Ceylon, on 4 January 1906, the second son of William Stevens, a missionary. His early education was at the Grocers' Company School, Hackney, London, and at Breeks Memorial School, Ootacamund, South India. He then entered the London Hospital Medical Coll

Ivor Glyn Williams, the third son of Josiah Williams, a wholesale grocer, and of Ellen Williams (née Rowlands), was born at Pwllheli, North Wales, on 29 August 1907. He was educated at Pwllheli Grammar School and the University of London, before graduating in 1931 at the Middlesex Hospital where he

Edward Stanley Lee was appointed consultant to the Westminster Hospital at the early age of 29, having spent much of his early career there. He was also consultant to Guildford Radiotherapy Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital and Radium Institute, and was civilian consultant to the Army for neoplastic dis

Philip Vernon Reading was senior ENT surgeon at Guy's. He was born on 16 January 1906 and educated at St Dunstan's College, Catford, and Guy's Hospital Medical School. He gained distinctions in surgery and midwifery, and was awarded the University gold medal in 1931. In the same year he passed his F

Roland Maitland Alderton was born on 20 June 1902 in Hadleigh, Suffolk, son of David Simpson, a miller and corn merchant, and Margaret McLachlan, daughter of a clergyman. He was educated at Tonbridge School and the London Hospital, qualifying MRCS LRCP in 1930 and MB BS in 1931. After working as