John McFarland was a consultant surgeon in Liverpool. He was born on 17 September 1930 in Rodney Street, Liverpool, into a well-established medical family. His father, Bryan McFarland, was professor of orthopaedics at the city's university; his mother, Ethel McFarland née Ashton, was also a doctor.

Harold Daintree Johnson was born in London on 26 May 1910, the second son of Sir Stanley Johnson, a solicitor and one-time Conservative MP for Walthamstow. His mother, Edith Heather, was the daughter of a professor of mathematics. After education at Westminster School he entered University College L

Bill Southwood was born in London on 8 June 1925, the son of Stuart Walter Southwood, a dental surgeon, and Mildred Mary, the daughter of an heraldic stationer. He was educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Cambridge, before going on to Guy's in 1945. He qualified with a gold medal in obstetr

Dick Greenwood was born on 3 May 1928, the son of John Herbert Kay Greenwood, and Hilda née Wild. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he rowed for his college, and did his clinical training at St Thomas's. After junior appointments in London, Exeter and Gl

John Thomas Hobbs was a renowned vascular surgeon, researcher and educator. He was born on 18 January 1931 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, to John Leonard Hobbs and Winifred Maud Hobbs née Haynes. He qualified in 1954 at St Bartholomew’s Medical School, London, and spent the next three years as