Early Life
Alec Colson was born in Simla, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. He attended school in the UK firstly at Cheltenham College and then at Oundle
Family Background
His parents lived in Kolkata throughout his time at school. His father LH Colson served as Commissioner of Police. This is their official residence in Kyd Street
Alec at school in the UK
Both Alec and and his sister Helen attended schools back in England while their father was stationed in Kolkata
Letter from Lionel Colson to Alec 1928
Letter writing was the only way of communicating with his parents. There are a number of letters in Alec Colson's papers from this period
Letter from Lionel Colson to Alec 1928
This letter from his father describes what happened on the road when a mongoose running and he says that it is bit like a ferret only grey brown
A visit to India
When he was 16, Alec and his sister Helen visited their parents in Kolkata during the summer holiday period. This is George his father's dog
A visit to India
When he was 16, Alec and his sister Helen visited their parents in Kolkata during the summer holiday period. This was the only time Alec visited his parents during this period
Album page Calcutta visit
LH Colson and other images 2 Kyd Street Calcutta 1937 This is George his father's dog This was the only time Alec visited his parents during this period
At school in England
Alec enjoyed his studies at Oundle and was a successful rugby and fives player. He continued this success in Fives at Cambridge where he was awarded a Half Blue
At Cambridge 1940-41
He continued his success in Fives at Cambridge where he was awarded a Half Blue - Cambridge University, Rugby Fives in the year 1940-41 (see additional image below)
At Cambridge 1940-41
He was an Undergraduate at St John's College, where he studied for Mechanical Sciences Tripos
St John's College, Cambridge
Alec began his studies at Cambridge in January 1940. He studied Engineering although the studies were shortened to two years because of the war
St John's College, Cambridge
Alec began his studies at Cambridge in January 1940. He studied Engineering although the studies were shortened to two years because of the war
Cambridge University, Rugby Fives
Alec won a half blue for Cambridge University, Rugby Fives in the year 1940-41
All material on this site is copyright Richard Colson