Sir Clement Price Thomas KCVO was a pioneering thoracic surgeon, best remembered for the operation he led in 1951 to remove a cancerous left lung from King George VI.
He was born on the 22nd of November, 1893, in Abercarn, Monmouthshire, Wales, the son of a grocer, William Thomas. He was educated at Newport High School and Caterham School before studying at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. He served with the 32nd Field Ambulance during the First World War, seeing action at Gallipoli and in the Middle East, before qualifying in medicine in 1921.
Through the 1930s and beyond, Price Thomas helped transform thoracic surgery from a field viewed with apprehension into one enjoying widespread acceptance, particularly for his work on tuberculosis and lung tumours. Following his historic 1951 operation on the King, he was honoured with the KCVO, and a prize in his name continues to be awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons for contributions to thoracic surgery.
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Welsh surgeon to King George VI
Sir Clement Price Thomas
Thoracic surgeon who operated on King George VI
Born in Abercarn, Monmouthshire, Wales, the son of grocer William Thomas.
Price Thomas was particularly recognised for his contribution to the surgery of tuberculosis and lung tumours, at a time when thoracic surgery was still viewed by many with apprehension. His most celebrated case remains the 1951 operation on King George VI, for which he was appointed KCVO.
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Career Highlights
Born in Abercarn, Monmouthshire, Wales
Led the 1951 operation to remove King George VI's cancerous lung
Awarded the KCVO for his services to surgery
ℹ️ Clement was born on the 22nd of November, 1893, in Abercarn, Monmouthshire, Wales.
ℹ️ Clement died on the 19th of March, 1973.
Born in Abercarn, Monmouthshire, Wales, the son of grocer William Thomas.
From: Oz1932
In the forfront of surgery, hospital wards named after him.