weldon champneys was the only surviving son of sir francis champneys, 1st baronet (also a physician) and his wife virginia, daughter of sir john dalrymple, 7th baronet. he was educated at gresham's school and studied medicine at oriel college, oxford, and st bartholomew's hospital, london. his studies were interrupted by the first world war when he served in the grenadier guards and reached the rank of captain. he finally obtained his first medical degrees (mb bch) in 1922 and went on to gain a doctorate (md) from oxford in 1929. in 1924 he changed his name by deed poll, adding his mother's surname to his father's and becoming weldon dalrymple champneys. he joined the ministry of health and rose to be deputy chief medical officer 1940–56. he was appointed in the 1957 new year honours. he was awarded an honorary fellowship of his "alma mater", oriel college, oxford, in 1967.