Nolan was the 3rd of 5 children born to James Henry DUGGAN & Annette Jessie DUGGAN (nee HAWKES), his siblings were: James, Zilla, Coral & Sadie. Soon after Nolan was born in Wellington, the family moved to Pirinoa in the Wairarapa. Nolan's mother died when he was 6, and with 2 younger siblings it was decided the children should be cared for in orphanages. For the next 8 years, Nolan's home with his youngest sister was the All Saint's Children's Home in Palmerston North. At age 14, Nolan worked on his Uncle's farm - a hard life for the next 5 years. The family then reunited and Nolan began working with his father on a sheep farm in Pirinoa - happier years.

Nolan began his overseas service as a 'foot slogger' before becoming a Tank Driver. Several stories were told by Nolan of his war years – having his boots stolen while sleeping on the open wagons of a train – resulting in him being sent to drive a Tank as it was noted he could drive a tractor!
Giving the foot sloggers the frights of their lives when they hitched a ride on the outside of his tank downhill getting faster & faster as Nolan was not able to get the tank into gear.
Carrying jerry cans tied to the front of the tank – one for fuel, one for water and the rest for wine!
Knocking parts of buildings off bricks flying as he misjudged corners in the little Italian villages – the tank tracks sliding on the cobble stones.
And also a few of the tougher times of war and the loss of lives - but this was not often spoken of.

After the war, Nolan relocated to Nelson where his father was living. He retrained as a carpenter at the Rehab Department's No17 Training School. After graduating in 1950 Nolan, along with 3 other graduates, started their own business - 'Nelson Home Builders' and was successful in the business for the next 7 years. Nolan then worked for BR Malcom in Nelson as a carpenter for the next 20 years until retirement.

In April 1953 Nolan married Hannah Evelyn CROOKS, they had 2 daughters and lived in a home Nolan built at 38 D'Arcy Street, Richmond for 40 years. Relocating to Auckland in 1993 to be close to their daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Retirement also a busy time for Nolan - a keen gardener with a large, productive vegetable garden & fruit orchard on his property in Richmond. Frequent NZ travel - visiting their family, siblings and relatives. And the church - Nolan was a devout Christian for many years – joining Evelyn in her Baptist faith at 48 years of age. He was baptised in the Richmond Baptist Church and went on to become a church officer and 14 years a Deacon.

Also a loving husband, as Ev aged and her health deteriorated Nolan learned to cook and do more household chores. Then in 2002, after being happily married for just shy of 49 years, Evelyn passed away. Nolan, the survivor, coped extremely well looking after himself at home for another 10 years – his daily highlight waving out his dining room window to the Kelston High School girls as they went to & from school as he sat reading his paper! And new joy's to Nolan's life - his Great-Grandsons.

Nolan continued living on his own until he was almost 95 when he had a fall which resulted in his moving into care at Terence Kennedy House. He was well cared for in his last 4 years at TKH, his "sweeties" and "ladies" looking after him well and his family visiting most days.

Nolan was the last in his generation of this Duggan line and is survived by his 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren. A WWII veteran, a darling husband, father, father-in-law, Poppa & old Poppa/Great-grandfather – 'A Good Man' - who lived a somewhat tough but mainly healthy almost 99 years - well deserved to rest.

Nolan & Evelyn's ashes were taken home to Nelson for interment.(Source:Public source) AWMM