Dr Charles Frier (1871-1958)
DR Charles Matthew Frier (pronounced Fre-er)was born in Northallerton, North Yorkshire to Scottish parents Matthew and Marian Frier.
His father was a Bank Manager living in the Market Place.
He had two older brothers and two older sisters all of whom had been born in Darlington.
The family then moved to St George Landward, Edinburgh,Midlothian, Scotland.
In 1891, aged 20,he was a Student of Medicine.
He set up his Grantham medical practice at 18 St Peter’s Hill in 1896 and continued for almost 60 years. He had married his Australian wife Marion Louise.
He moved his home and practice to Spitalgate House, London Road, in the early part of the century.
Marion Louisa died in December 1937 and was buried in Grantham Cemetery.
He died aged 87, nearly three years after retiring from practising. It was the year he was created a Fellow of the British Medical Association.
He was a magistrate until 1950, when he was forced to retired due to the 80 years age limit.
For many years until 1951, Dr Frier was secretary and treasurer of the local NSPCC, .
He also set up Dr Frier’s Holiday Fund for Crippled Children, which he ran until his death, when his daughter Nesta took over.
The fund continues to this day.
My Nan, Lilian Waite (nee Short) lived with and worked for Dr Frier and his family in 1939 and she always spoke very fondly of him. I believe she and my Grandad Douglas remained close friends with Dr Frier and his family for many years. My great-grandfather, Joseph Waite (Lilian’s father in law) used to work for Dr Frier as a chauffeur.