ONE of Bolton's most famous sons, Dr Tom Groome Temperley OBE, has died, aged 69.

The Bolton-born scientist, who is known all over the world for his work in desalination (removal of salt from seawater), died this week after struggling against an illness "with great courage and strength".

Dr Temperley became a chemist and chemical engineer and lived in the Middle East for 43 years.

His career began with the then British Electrical Authority as a power plant chemist/engineer until, from 1953 to 1970, he spent 17 years in Kuwait as chief chemical engineer and technical adviser to the Ministry of Electricity and Water. This was in addition to running his own consultancy.

During the 1960s, Dr Temperley participated in the development, installation and acceptance testing of the original electrodialysis desalination plant which was developed and manufactured by Bronswerk of Holland.

The test facility was installed and tested in Kuwait under Dr Temperley's direction. He was also involved in the start-up and testing of the first commercial electrodialysis plant installed in the Middle East.

In 1970 he moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where for 10 years he was vice- president of CONAM Services Inc -- a major contractual management, operation and maintenance company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Automation Industries Inc, USA.

Dr Temperley was a founder member of the International Desalination & Environmental Association and a past member of the Standards Committee and Controller of the association. He is also a member of the Environmental Division of the American Chemical Society.

Although his illustrious career has seen him live farther afield, Dr Temperley's roots were firmly grounded in Bolton.

His father Thomas married Mabel Alberta Gaskell in May 1930 -- the daughter of the late Det Insp John Gaskell of Bolton Police.

He leaves a wife, Edith, who now lives in Samlesbury and two children, Tom and Elizabeth.

A service and internment will be held at St Peter's Church, Salesbury, near Blackburn on Monday at 1pm.