A former chief photographer at a regional daily has died at the age of 97, the day after his wife’s funeral.
Fred Nickholds joined Wolverhampton’s Express and Star in 1958 and became its chief photographer, remaining there until his retirement in 1978.
After leaving school, he held jobs outside journalism but developed a love of photography and joined the Wolverhampton Chronicle in 1952 before later moving to the Express and Star.
Fred’s wife Brenda died on 15 December at the age of 91 and nine days later he was taken to Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, where he died on 11 January – the day after her funeral was held.
The couple were married for almost 60 years and their daughters said they were devoted to each other.
Daughters Gill Bailey and Angie Nickless said: “They were inseparable and even went cycling on a tandem together.
“They never spent any time apart until mum fell ill shortly before her death. It is fitting and, in a way, rather lovely that their lives ended so close together.”
After Fred left school, he trained as a cabinet maker before being employed at the Sunbeam car factory and then at Goodyear, before he became a photographer in 1946.
Fred leaves two children, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild and his funeral is due to be held on 7 February at 2pm at Bushbury Crematorium.
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Fred was the most gentle man I ever met – and one of the best snappers I ever worked with. He was charm personified.
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What a sadness-Fred was a true gentlemen of the press.I will always remember his gentle determined style..Respect from Paul Delmar
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I first met Fred over 50 years ago at Wolverhampton. He was then working with a VN and plates, his maxim was quality.His friendship was quality.His quiet sense of humour was quality.Pipe smoking Fred helped me as I started out, and many others with sound advice.
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So sad to hear of Freds death. When I was a trainee photographer way back in 1954 at the age of 15, I met Fred on my very first job at a local dramatic society’s photo call. When he saw how nervous I was he helped me to set up and arrange the picture, but in an unassuming way which gave me confidence. Later I got to know Fred very well and he was a kind and gentle man. Thanks Fred.
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A nice and unassuming man, and a good photographer. He was also an extremely fit cyclist long after he retired. I lost my licence one election night, and made the round trip of 60 miles into work and back by bike for a short while. It was a (suitably) sobering thought that Fred would probably have taken half the time for the same journey, despite the 35 year age difference. Good to have met him in the golden age of provincial journalism.
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Sadly I hadn’t seen Fred for 38 years…but I do remember he helped me a lot when I was a raw printer and young snapper.in the late 60’s/70’s..A lovely man..thanks Fred
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