Papers of Jack Britton, former student at University College, Nottingham including dance cards, photographs of Karnival and posters relating to Student Union balls etc; 1936-1938 and n.d.

The collection comprises:

Five photographs, including one undated studio portrait (possibly of Jack Britton) by photographer Edward Hadley of Nottingham, and four undated photos of Karnival students in costume, raising money for the General Hospital, standing on the steps (possibly of a University building). Three of these photos are different versions of the same image. (MS901/1)

Three University College Nottingham Union Ball dance cards dated 1936-1938. Two have pencils attached to write the engagements for each of the listed dances. Two are annotated with female names. (MS901/2)

Four [draft?] posters advertising the Union Ball and Hockey Club dances, drawn by Jack Britton. All four are hand-drawn and coloured. One depicts a formally-dressed couple dancing and three depict a costumed woman dancing. Although year dates are not given, from the day and month information, three posters relate to dances held on (Friday January 18th) 1935; (Thursday December 12th) 1935; (Friday February 28th) 1936. The fourth poster gives the date December 13th, day and year unknown. (MS901/3)

Jack Britton was born in 1911 in Cambridgeshire, the son of Walter and Mildred (nee Longbottom) Britton. Walter Britton's occupation is unknown, but after her husband's death, Mildred was recorded as being a shopkeeper. Jack went to Lenton Trust Church School in Nottingham, and later Nottingham High School. He enrolled in University College, Nottingham in 1928 as a part-time Pharmacy student whilst also working for G F Godson, Old Basford. He may have taken a hiatus from his studies in 1931 and 1932, but was definitely registered as a full-time Pharmacy student in the 1933/4 academic year. He graduated in 1934 and enrolled the same year as a part-time pre-Medical student, ultimately withdrawing from the University on 24th October 1936. It would appear that he did not complete his medical studies at Nottingham or anywhere else, as there are no further details about him practising medicine, either in the University records or amongst his family members. It is perhaps coincidence, but the dates where he is apparently absent from University correspond with the time immediately preceeding his parents' deaths; in late 1932 or early 1933 for his father, and 1937 for his mother.

After leaving University, Jack Britton founded the Chemists in Nottinghamshire that carry his name. He married Margaret in 1950 and had two sons. He was active amongst local tennis clubs and served many years on the Nottingham Local Tennis Association Council. According to the Spring 2008 edition of the University Alumni magazine 'Reflect', Jack Britton died on 2 March 2005.

The collection has been divided by document type into three series.

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This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright on the description belongs to the University of Nottingham.

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections

Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

The items were acquired in October 2011.