Sir Robert Catterall

Chairman of Turton Urban District Council: 1938-39, 1952-53, 1955-56 (Conservative)

Born: Sharples, Bolton 1880

Died: Newlands Nursing Home, Chorley New Road, Bolton 25 May 1962

Auctioneer and valuer - sometime draper and general merchant.

One of (at least) 12 children he volunteered to serve with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in the Boer War and rose to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major during the First World War. Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

He was chief observer with the Royal Observer Corps in the Second World War.

Represented Eagley Ward.

Chairman of Housing and Town Planning Committee.

Chairman of the Unemployment and War Pensioners Committees.

Awarded MBE 11 May 1937 for political and public services in Bolton.

Knighted 27 February 1952.

Chairman of the National Union of Conservative Associations.

Dubbed the 'Grand Old Man of Toryism', a Conservative college scholarship was established in his name to mark his 80th birthday in June 1960.