Ron Boulding joined TS “MERCURY” on 29 April 1937, aged 12 years 4 months, as pupil No 2814 and remained at school until July 1940. He passed away peacefully at Abbey House Nursing Home, Netley, at the age of 101 on 11th May 2026. We were pleased to record news of Ron’s 100th birthday celebration early in 2025. He was almost ceratinly our oldest “Old Boy”.
Ronald William Boulding was born in 1925 in Uckfield, one of four children. Life was hard for the family, with his father frequently out of work during the 1930’s. Ron’s abilities were recognised, however, and he was sponsored by a prosperous Uckfield resident to attend “MERCURY”.
Ron was very proud of his education at “MERCURY” and he considred that his self-discipline and qualities as a “fighter” and not a “quitter” had their origins then. He enjoyed not only academic life at school but also the sailing and other activities, which for him included serving as a chapel chorister.
When he left “MERCURY”, it was intended that he would study aeronautical engineering at RAF Cranwell but this was cancelled due to the onset of War and he later joined the Royal Armoured Corps to be trained as a tank driver/radio operator, serving with the 3rd Dragoon Guards in India between 1945 and 1947.
In subsequent civilan life, living and working in North West London, Ron was employed as a mechanical, aircraft, installation engineer and instrument maker by Fairey Aviation, the Ministry of Defence, Pye Dynamics, British Gas and Davy McKee. He, and his wife Alma, retired in 1984 and they moved to Warsash, enjoying their long retirement together until Alma passed away in 2008. Ron was most fortunate to have enjoyed good health in retirement until suffering a stroke in 2020 when he left his home to reside at Abbey House where he was happy and very well cared for.
He leaves behind his daughter Doreen (who wrote this obituary) and son Ronnie as well as one grandson and 4 greatchildren.