after education at ipswich school and at epsom college, d. evan bedford entered the middlesex hospital medical school in 1916. in 1918 he became a surgeon sub-lieutenant in the royal naval volunteer reserve (rnvr) and in 1919 resumed his medical training, graduating in 1921 mb bs (lond.) and qualifying mrcs, lrcp. after resident appointments at the middlesex hospital, he was appointed medical officer in charge of the cardiac wards at the orpington hospital belonging to the ministry of pensions. in 1925 he graduated md. at the orpington hospital, he was influenced by john parkinson and in 1925–1926 pursued postgraduate study in france.