| Administrative History | Ernest Nigel Bolton (known as Nigel) was born 28 October 1915 in West Bromwich, the eldest of three children born to Ernest and Edith M. Bolton (nee Duckhouse). He attended the public school, Leeds Grammar School, where he excelled academically and in sport, gaining a place to study medicine at Birmingham University in 1934. However, his father Ernest, an employee of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, died in October 1933 leaving his wife and three children to cope alone financially. Despite anticipating severe economic hardship Nigel's mother was determined to send him to university to study medicine, as was planned before the death of his father. In an attempt to be able to afford the fees she wrote many letters over a long period of time to her husband's former employers requesting financial aid for the six year course. Despite arduous negotiations with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company for an economic contribution, her pleas were unsuccessful. Regardless of this hardship, Nigel successfully completed his studies and graduated from Birmingham University as a doctor in 1940. He was offered a job with the Royal Air Force in 1942 having previously been House Surgeon at the Fairwick Emergency Hospital, Christchurch, Hampshire, and it is known that he remained in Christchurch for the rest of his life.
Source: Information extracted from the collection together with additional details supplied by the donor |