Andrew Banks Raffle was the sone of pharmaceutical chemst, William, and his wife, Elizabeth Raffle.

He joined the High School in 1890, shortly after his eighth birthday, and left 10 years later to go to Durham Medical College.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1905, and a PhD in 1910.

For a while he was Medical Officer for Health in South Shields, and in early 1914 was appointed to the London County Council as a medical assistant.

When war broke out, Andrew signed up with the Royal Army Medical Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. He commanded the 13th Mobile Laboratory in France, was promoted to Captain, and awarded the Military Cross in 1917.

During the war, he married Daisy Jarvis, and their son, Philip Andrew Banks (born in September, 1918) grew up to be a renowned doctor.

His son specialised in the health of drivers, such as those working on the underground and buses. He was honorary secretary of the Royal Society of Medicine, and Chief Medical Officer of the St John's Ambulance. He also instigated the Save-a-Life Campaign in 1984.

Andrew senior died at Hammersmith Hospital in August, 1939.