Pantland was educated at the University of Liverpool, where he won several scholarships and graduated M.B., Ch.B in 1904. He also took the degrees of M.B., B.S. in 1906, and M.D. in 1909. He became an assistant physician to the Liverpool Royal Infirmary and Sub-curator of the Pathological Museum at the University of Liverpool. He had also been an honorary physician and pathologist to the Stanley Hospital, and to the Liverpool Infirmary for Children. He joined the R.A.M.C. T.F. attached to the 1st Western General Hospital.