Richard Anthony Hayes

Richard Anthony Hayes was born at home in Kingswood, Bristol, delivered by his family GP, John Ridgeway, who influenced his later life. He attended Kingswood Grammar School, where, at the age of 16, he met his childhood sweetheart, Anne, from whom he became inseparable. He developed an early interest in the natural world, in particular a love of birds, and considered pursuing a career as an ornithologist. However, he chose to read medicine at the University of Bristol in 1961, his interest encouraged by the family doctor who delivered him.

After graduating and house …