From 1912 he studied agriculture at the South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye in Kent. In 1914 the Fruit Experimental Station of the college became the East Malling Research Station; when the director left for the First World War, Hatton became acting director.
Between 1912 and 1914, he studied agriculture at the South-Eastern Agricultural College in Kent. In 1914, the Fruit Experimental Station of the college was renamed the East Malling Research Station. When the station's director left for World War I, Hatton took over as acting director.