John Broomhall

John Broomhall was born in Finchley, London, the eldest of three children. He aspired to a career in medicine from an early age, encouraged by his mother.

He was educated at Finchley Grammar School and gained a sixth form scholarship, sponsored by his father’s union, to Atlantic College, an international college in south Wales, where he was part of the cliff rescue team. He studied medicine at the London Hospital Medical College, Whitechapel and intercalated in physiology. John was active in the social life of the students’ union, ran the folk club, and was elected student president. He was known to his colleagues as JB or El Presidente.

He undertook house jobs at Epsom and Southend …