University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB.
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17/07/2025
An expert in heraldry who helped to redesign the University of Greater Manchester’s coat of arms, was awarded an honorary doctorate.
William Hunt was honoured as Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Heraldry.
William helped to design the University’s new coat of arms, following its change of name from the University of Bolton in December.
He told the audience of graduands and their families at the ceremony at Bolton Town Hall: “When the University changed its name it asked for new arms to be granted to reflect its connection with Manchester.
“My new design can be seen on the front of your programme. The bees which symbolise industry and teamwork come from the crest of the city of Manchester and the cogs allude to the fact that the University started life as Bolton Mechanics Institute in 1824.
“For the crest I kept the elephant which came from the crest of the borough of Bolton. The elephant is supporting the Rod of Asciepius, the symbol of medicine to reflect the medical work that you now do.”
William served for 26 years in the Honourable Artillery Company, a special forces unit of the Territorial Army, ultimately as a Staff Officer at Headquarters London District in the rank of Major.
In 1992, he was appointed Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms, one of Her Majesty's Officers of Arms at the College of Arms. At the College, he was promoted to the office of Windsor Herald of Arms in 1999, but, as required in the Royal Household, was obliged to retire in 2017 at the age of 70. He continues to work at the College, now as a Research Assistant.
He told the audience of students from the School of Arts and Creative Technologies: “Graduates, may you - like your elephant - never forget the good times that you have spent here and the friends you have made.”
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