Mr W Martin Nichols (1910-1979): From prisoner of war to first Aberdeen neurosurgeon

The Department of Neurosurgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) marked its 75th anniversary in 2023. The unit began on 1 April 1948 when Mr W Martin Nichols became the first full-time neurosurgeon in the North of Scotland. Prior to World War II (WWII), there were only a handful of surgeons dedicated to the specialty in the UK. Martin Nichols was one of a new wave of pioneering surgeons who had sought out experience in this fledgling field and went on to establish post-war units in teaching hospitals across the country. Like others of his generation, the war had an enormous effect on his career. Here we discuss his early formative career gaining experience in the leading centres of the day, WWII and his 5 years as a prisoner of war, going on to set up the new unit in Aberdeen. We are fortunate to have had access to many of Nichols' letters and other materials that provide valuable insights into the period.