turner-warwick's father was a consultant surgeon who specialised in colonic surgery and in varicose veins and from an early age, turner-warwick decided that he was going to be a physician. he took his early education at bedales school before matriculating to read medicine at oriel college, oxford in 1942. at oxford he completed an honours degree in natural science. in the third year, he was offered an additional year of education by the anatomist surgeon, primatologist and palaeoanthropologist wilfrid le gros clark who held the chair of the anatomy department, to read for a bsc research degree in neuroanatomy. his preclinical training was held at the middlesex hospital medical school.