Albert Lawson Light was a consultant general surgeon in Wakefield and at Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, and also a consultant surgeon to the Ministry of Social Security. He studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Medical School, gaining a distinction in his final MB BS examinations. Prior to his con

Mark Coleman received his medical education at University College Hospital Medical School, passing the Conjoint Diploma in 1927 and graduated MB BS in 1928. He obtained the Fellowship in 1931 and in the same year gained the Mastership of Surgery, and was awarded the Bilton Pollard Fellowship in 1938

Alfred Geddes Tresidder was born on 15 December 1881 and was educated at Falmouth Grammar School and the London Hospital, where he qualified with the Conjoint Diploma in 1906, and graduated MB BS London in 1907. He then worked for a time in general practice and entered the Indian Medical Service in

Ascroft was born on 4 September 1906, the only son of James Arthur Ascroft of Bootle, Lancashire and Hannah Byers of Culton, Cumberland. He was educated at Worksop, the Middlesex Hospital, and the University of Strasbourg, qualifying in 1930; the next year he gained the gold medal at his Master of S

Born on 16 September 1903 at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, the elder of the twin sons of Harold Ernest Watkins, MRCS, LRCP, medical officer of health for Newton-in-Makerfield, Lancs, and his wife, *née* Smith. He was educated at Oundle School, Northants, at the Manchester University, and at St Thom

Robin Pilcher was born on 22 June 1902 in Northwood, Middlesex, into a family without medical connections, although his younger brother Michael was to follow him into surgery. His father was Thorold Sturtevant Pilcher and his mother Helena, née Neilson. He was a scholar at St Paul's School and a pri

Wiles was born on 17 August 1899 the only son, with two sisters, of Thomas Wiles, chairman of Joseph Wiles and Son Ltd, corn-merchants of Mark Lane in the City of London. Thomas Wiles was a successful business-man and an active Liberal politician. He became Chairman of the London Corn Exchange, the

Douglas William Claridge Northfield was born in London in February 1902. He received his medical training at Guy's Hospital, where he also qualified in dentistry. After qualification he did general surgery at Guy's where he was demonstrator in anatomy. He obtained the MB BS (London) with the Gold Me

Born on 24 October, 1903, the son of Elvina and Herbert Brock. Educated at Christ’s Hospital he entered Guy’s Medical School, with an arts scholarship, at the age of 17. As a medical student he early showed the brilliance and force of character which were to mark his whole career. He won the Treasur