Eddie grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne and chose the medical profession after surviving a Tuberculosis infection which sadly took the life of his younger brother. He attended Rutherford Grammar school and Durham University Medical School based in Newcastle. He worked in Newcastle  General Hospital for two years and then as a General Practitioner in Crook, County Durham. He was a well-liked popular GP and member of the community, founder and member of various sporting and social clubs and dad of four kids; needless to say, his wife Elsie had her work cut out for her.