Dr. Paul Brand - The Hand Man (17th July 1914 - 8th November 2003)

A career in medicine? Yes Please!

At 21, Paul finished his apprenticeship, but what next? He knew he was expected to follow his father to India , and took a one year course in tropical medicine. Amazingly he found he now loved the work and the study, it was practical, it was helping people.

A one year course of missionary training, gave him more experience of the Bible, preaching and helping homeless men on the streets of London . But he could not see himself just preaching and trying to convert people for years and years. He needed to have something extra to offer people.

So in 1937 he joined University College Medical School in London. In 1940, the Blitz was in full swing and the surgeons were working flat out repairing all kinds of injuries. It was hard work, but excellent experience for someone who would later need those skills in India . Studying under one of the most skilful surgeons in the world, Paul took and passed exams for FRCS. Now he was fully qualified as a surgeon.