Tony Boycott: GP and caver whose knowledge of explosives made him an expert rescuer and explorer

It was on a caving expedition as a medical student that Tony Boycott got first hand experience of the dangers of what was to become his life’s passion. In his first year at Bristol University Boycott had joined the Speleological Society but did not begin cave diving until his second year, starting with White Lady Cave in south Wales.

He soon became aware of how perilous caving was when he joined an expedition exploring Porth yr Ogof in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) the following year. A fellow medical student, Paul Esser, disappeared on the same expedition and his body was not found until 39 years later.

After this, Boycott went on to use his medical knowledge to become a caving expedition medic, helping those in trouble underground, both in the UK and abroad. Martin Grass, chairman of Mendip Cave Rescue, who undertook many expeditions with Boycott, believes he saved the lives of about 12 people, as well as rescuing many with broken limbs.

As an active member of Mendip Cave Rescue, Boycott was regularly called out to …