A PIONEERING doctor who was both physician and friend to thousands of Bolton children and mothers will be remembered today.
Hundreds were expected at the funeral of Bolton's former consultant paeditrician Dr Walter Dickson.
The 85-year-old, who had been suffering from a long-standing illness, lost his battle against pneumonia leaving behind two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He will be best remembered striding through the wards at Bolton General Hospital, helping two generations of patients spanning 30 years.
His speciality was in asthma and child health care and he strived to improve conditions introducing Bolton's first mother and baby unit.
Dr Dickson, who lived in Culcheth, was also a co-founder of Birtenshaw Hall School in Bromley Cross.
His son, David, said: "He brought many changes in Bolton, even though he never lived there. He helped bring in many reforms for polio sufferers and asthmatics. He was a real force.
"He had a lot of friends and a lot of respect."
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