Frank Allen Binks was a consultant physician at Edgware General Hospital. Born in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), he was the son of Harry Binks, a Methodist minister and his wife, Gladys Eleanor née Allen whose father, William Henry, was also a Methodist minister. Educated at Kingswood School in Bath, he studied medicine at London University and King’s College Hospital.

After qualifying in 1941, he did house jobs at King’s before joining the RAF voluntary reserve and serving from 1942 to 1946. He was demobilised with the rank of squadron leader and mentioned in despatches.

In 1949 he became a senior registrar working at the Whittington, Middlesex and Edgeware General Hospitals. Eight years later, in 1957, he was appointed a consultant physician at the Edgeware General and Hendon group of hospitals with main responsibility for geriatric services. He published a paper entitled ‘The functions of a hospital’ (Lancet, 1962, 1, 1083-6) and two important articles on disability; ‘Background to disability’ (Lancet, 1964, 2, 1233-4) and ‘Approach to disability and breakdown’ (BMJ, 1968, 2, 269-74).

Having read classics and mathematics before he turned to medicine, he continued to read philosophy and Greek and Roman history throughout his life. He also developed an interest in Poor Law history and Canon Law. He enjoyed collecting antique furniture and Victorian jewellery and was a keen gardener. While a student at King’s he had been captain of rugby.

In 1941 he married Estelle Lorraine née Bell, whose father, Edward Leighton Bell, was a company director. They had a son and daughter.

RCP editor