Solly (Sol) Fingerhut born 20-10-1904 Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom. Death 14-9-1984 Buried Southern Cemetery/Manchester. ID : 1622114240.

Sol was the oldest child of Abraham and Emily Fingerhut. Abraham had gone to South Africa as a pedlar (with bicycle) but had failed to make his fortune and return to Manchester where he had a grocer´s shop. This was in Clarence Street. Sol, Ben, Issy, Bec and hymie were born in quick sucession, then Emily died. Abraham was left with 5 small children so another wife was found for him. She was from Birmingham and was called Annie. This marriage produced 6 more children but the father was unhappy and took to drink and gambling.The shop declined and the Family were in extreme poverty. Sol was a very intelligent person. He won a scholarship to Manchester Grammar School (the best school in the area) but left at 13 so he could earn Money to help the Family survive. Most of his life he worked as a bookmaker´s clerk. He went to race meetings (horse and dog) and kept the ledger that recorded all the bets.

When Sol was in his early 20s he rented a house at 44 Enid Street for him self, Issy, john and Bec. Bec acted as housekeeper. (By this time Ben had run away to the Isle of Man where he spent all his life). This enabled John to be supported in his studies. The house became a focus of social life for many Young people in North Manchester, including Sidney Gordon. It also set the pattern for Sol´s life. he took upon himself the role of support for all his siblings, Financial and emotional, and Rebecca looked after him. he lived with his sister all his life.

During the war, he entered the Air Force as a clerk and was sent to the Far East. He spent much time in India working with early radar systems. His Work with a bookmaker took him on the fringes of criminal society but he always claimed that he could get out of any unwelcome situation by daying "my sister wouldn´t like it if I went there".

From the 1950s onwards, he would go every year to spend 6 weeks in Madeira. He had close friends there, and at home, but he remained single. Source : Lynda Reid.

Sources : Findagrave.