Brian Andrew Serjeant was born in 1900 in Trarlgon, Victoria, where his father, Percy Pye Serjeant was in practice as a barrister and solicitor. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, having entered Wadhurst Preparatory School in 1912. While at school he served as a member of the cadet corps and in 1918 achieved the rank of cadet lieutenant. It is of interest that although there was not a close friendship between them while at school Brian was later to enter a partnership with two of his school contemporaries, namely Leslie Love and Alan Mackay (qv) also a fellow of the College. Brian graduated in 1925 and spent his postgraduate year as a resident medical officer at the Alfred Hopital, Melbourne. He then entered the Royal Australian Navy, holding a short term commission in the permanent Navy with the rank of surgeon lieutenant. His commission was for four years, most of which he spent at Flinders naval depot.

On completion of his term of service Serjeant's hospital appointments revealed that his interests had become centred on diseases of the chest, and in 1932 he was appointed to the resident medical staff of the Austin Hospital, Melbourne and while at the Austin obtained his MD. An appointment to Waterfall Sanatorium in NSW followed and during his two years at Waterfall he obtained his DPH. It was at Waterfall that he first met William Cotter Harvey for whom he had a high regard, and a warm friendship developed between them as they continued to renew acquaintances at college meetings over a number of years. Brian returned to Melbourne in 1938 when he was appointed to the medical staff of Heatherton Sanatorium and it was over this period that his medical interests turned towards radiology: he sat for and obtained his DDR Melbourne in 1939.

The outbreak of war interrupted his appointment with the TB Bureau and as a member of the permanent forces he returned to naval service at Flinders naval depot. Brian spent most of 1942 as senior medical officer on HMAS Westralia and on completion of this tour of duty he returned to Flinders naval depot where, amongst his other duties, he was responsible for the radiology at the depot. He attained the rank of surgeon commander. On return to civilian life his interests remained in radiology and he joined the partnership of the Melbourne Radiological Clinic. As was to be expected, because of his clinical experience in diseases of the chest, Brian had a major interest in chest radiology and because of the influence of the late Colin Macdonald the radiology of obstetrics & gynaecology was another of his special interests.

Brian combined two hospital appointments with his private practice. He was honorary radiologist at the Austin Hospital from 1946 to 1960 when, because of his age, he retired. He was then appointed consultant radiologist. Brian was also assistant honorary radiologist at the Royal Womens Hospital from 1946 until Colin Macdonald retired when he was appointed Director of Radiology - an appointment held from 1963 to 1965. At the age of 65 he found the combined private and hospital practice a heavy burden and so he retired from the partnership of the Melbourne Radiological Clinic and from his hospital appointment. After some time Serjeant decided he would like some sessional work and he was appointed a sessional radiologist at Box Hill and District Hospital and at the Peter McCallum Clinic. He continued working at Box Hill until 1975.

Dr Serjeant was an active member of Melbourne Legacy, being inducted into the Legacy in 1945. For more than twenty years he served on the medical committee. He also supervised legacy classes on Friday evenings for many years and here his kindly manner and thoughtful approach was greatly appreciated by the parents of the junior legatees. In the early post war years Brian spent part of many weekends with his friends at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. He was an able golfer and a fine partner in a four ball match. Brian will always be remembered for his kindly nature, his thoughtfulness for others and for his gentle manner. Brian married May Hickinbotham and theirs was a very happy marriage. They had three daughters of whom Brian was justly proud.