Horace Johnson was born in Warwick, Queensland, where his parents are remembered by the firm WG Johnson & Sons, Merchants. He was one of a family of eight. All were musical and mother played both violin and piano. Horace played the church organ and his family cherish the bible presented to him when he left Warwick. He showed early academic brilliance, matriculating before usual age, and obtaining a scholarship for higher studies. At university, his musical talents at the piano were always in demand.

After obtaining hospital experience at Brisbane Hospital as resident and registrar 1926-29, he widened his experience with a year in general practice in North Queensland during 1930. From 1931 to 1934 he studied and practised in various posts in England and Scotland, obtaining the MRCPE in 1934. He had clinical assistant posts at London, Brompton and Queen Square Hospitals, a year as resident anaesthetist at West London Hospital and six months as resident physician at Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Mental Disorders.

Returning to Australia, he practised as a physician attached to Brisbane Hospital and in private practice from 1935 to 1940 when World War II intruded. In 1935, he became honorary anaesthetist to the Mater Children’s Hospital and is recognised as having held the first anaesthetic post in Queensland. In the War, he was appointed specialist physician (major) in 2/9 AGH and served for two years in the Middle East. He was then posted to New Guinea for a year as lieutenant-colonel and OC medical division. Later he served as senior physician with 112 AGH at Greenslopes.

After the War, he was senior physician at Brisbane Hospital and in private practice in Ballow Chambers, Wickham Terrace. He was honoured as FRACP in 1957 and as FRCPE 1965. He was on the panel of chest consultants for the Repatriation Commission from 1944 to 1972. He was secretary to the Queensland branch BMA 1938 to 1940 and president 1947 to 1948.

He was my first clinical teacher in medicine and I well remember the very personal interest that he took in every student. I remember him for the painstaking care that he took in examining patients and the equal care that he took to ensure that his students understood him. I remember particularly his delightful whimsical humour. He loved life, and people loved him. His patients and friends always felt better by just talking to him. He is survived by his wife Essil, four children and eleven grandchildren.