Alfred Hatton was the artist's father. Brian Hatton's grandfather was a tanner who died in 1877. He had four sons and Brian Hatton's father was the youngest. The Hatton rothers were all connected with the leather businessand they owned a factory in St Peter Street in Hereford. This factory produced the 'Wye Boot.' (In 1900 when the young artist Brian Hatton sent some lighthearted caricatures to his father showing how the Wye Boot could contribute to the war effort in the Boer War). Alfred was married to Amelia Keays in 1884 and Brian, their first child, was born in 1887. Brian Hatton maintained a close relationship with his father until his death on active service in Egypt in 1916. Brian's letters to his father written throughout his army service affirm this strong although probably undemonstrative father/son bond.