Basil Leslie Laver was born 18 December 1894 at Witfoot, Middelburg, Transvaal, South Africa, the third of the three sons of Henry Laver, merchant of Middelburg.[2][1][3] Laver’s parents came originally from Southampton and he received his formal education at Bedford Modern School and medical education at Guy's Hospital.[1][2][3]
During World War I he received a commission on 27 February 1915 as second-lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, and was subsequently adjutant and temporary major.[1][2][3]
Laver returned to Guy's Hospital at the end of World War I, qualified, won the Arthur Durham scholarship and served as surgical registrar and assistant surgical tutor.[1][2][3] Laver then settled at Northampton, where he was elected assistant surgeon to the General Hospital on 22 February 1927, becoming surgeon on 28 April 1931.[1][2][3] He was also consulting surgeon to the Stamford and Rutland General Infirmary.[1][2][3]
On 21 April 1928 Laver married Margaret Joyce Crockett, granddaughter of Sir James Crockett of Northampton who was the co-founder of Crockett & Jones.[1][2][3][4] Laver died in Northampton on 28 December 1934 and his ashes were buried in Southampton.[1][2][3] His wife and daughter survived him.[1][2][3]
