Frank Whillock – Eulogy 25 January 2016 – Deborah & Michael Harley Introduction Thank you for coming today, some have come some distance. We remember, amongst others, those who cannot be here – granddaughter Sarah and family in Australia, nephew Martin (and Ruth Whillock), niece Janet (in Italy), niece Marion (and David) in Canada, and nephew Gerald (and Hnong) in Thailand, Bob Lay his old friend – each are remembering Frank at this time. Early Years Siblings Frank, born in Hornsey, London on the 19 th June 1921, was the youngest of the four children of Caroline and Frederick Whillock. His siblings, Arthur, Ethel and 'Bubbles', have all died and Frank felt that keenly as he became the last one to survive. He said they were like four legs on a chair, as each one died the chair became increasingly wobbly. He'd probably now say that the chair is mended – a typical woodworkers analogy. Ethel and 'Bubbles' used to mother him, while his brother, Arthur, was kind to him and helped him financially through his teacher training. A kindness Frank never forgot. Hard Times The family hit hard times when their father, Frederick, was unemployed for about two years around the Depression between the Wars and mother, Caroline, had different jobs to make ends meet. But it was a loving family which compensated, so Frank felt he had a very happy childhood. Little things pleased him-Bubbles ensured that he got his first pocket sewed into his new home- made trousers, of which he was immensely proud (there's a photo of him with his hand stuffed determinately into the pocket of those trousers). War Years Good War Frank had barely started his Teacher Training when he was conscripted into the Royal Air Force, working with electronics helping to operate Radar. He served in England, Belgium and Germany. Typically Frank couldn't resist secretly taking photographs over Europe as a souvenir, and he got away with it. Frank always said he had a good war. Leaving his gun behind There were one or two incidents that he mentioned which were hilarious in hindsight. He went to the theatre in Belgium, and on returning to his Station realised that he had left his Sten Gun under the seat. He had to rush back to the theatre, knock on the side door and retrieve it from the caretaker. Failing to retrieve it would have meant a prison sentence. Prisoner of War guard He guarded a German Prisoner of War under house arrest in Germany, who had been a war artist. He befriended him and once accepted a social evening alone with him, listening to music and discussing art, deciding it was safe to leave his gun behind in the Station. The artist gave Frank a drawing which is still on a wall. After the war the artist wrote to Frank asking him to set up an exhibition for him in London, but Frank realised it would be immensely unpopular to encourage a German artist in London, so he refused. Confirmation During the war Frank was confirmed in Winchester Cathedral – the Chaplain had arranged for the group of confirmees to be flown down specially for the event. Latterly this link with Winchester amused him because of Mike and Deborah's link with the same Cathedral. Post War Choice of careers A defining moment for Frank after the war was when he was offered further training as an electronics engineer, but he decided to return to teacher training. He would wonder what would have happened in his life if he had made a different decision. Teaching He resumed his teacher training and was allowed to continue from where he had left off before the war, this shortened the required training post war which delighted him. Frank became a woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing teacher, thoroughly enjoying teaching and encouraging children in these early years of his career. He was also an accomplished woodworker and joiner, producing many fine pieces of furniture for his home. Family Life Audrey and girls At his first school he met Audrey, who was to become his first wife. They married in 1951, lived in New Southgate, north London, and their daughters were born there - Deborah in 1952 and Diana in 1954. Forgetting the baby He once took the newly born Deborah to the local shops in her pram, arriving later back home without her. Audrey asked where Deborah was – he had forgotten that he was a new father and had left the baby outside the shops. On rushing back Deborah was still there in her pram - a sign of more trusting and safer times. Patience Despite the previous incident he was a caring and attentive father. Frank had endless patience, and both Deborah and Diana remember him helping them with their Maths homework, despite their tears of frustration at not being able to understand the subject. Picture Framing Frank has been a picture framer for many decades and had his own business that he ran from the garage, and then the garden shed. Deborah and Diana spent happy hours with him making things out of offcuts of wood. Both remember accompanying him around north London delivering pictures to clients, when he would sing Bing Crosby songs ('In the cool, cool, cool of the evening' being a favourite). Bedtime stories Frank had a talent for making up bedtime stories initiated by Diana, always with a happy and moral ending. Diana remembers stories about an object that didn't want to do what it was meant to, like 'the light switch that didn't want to switch on', or 'the door knob that didn't want to turn'. Wider family Over the decades his two sons in law have found Frank to be a great Father-in-Law, very interested in and supportive of what they have done in their careers and lives. Also, Frank's nephews and nieces have very fond and treasured memories of him. They said he was a kind and generous uncle; interested in what each did; fun with a positive attitude towards life; and a good role model. Retiring During the 1970's, Audrey's health deteriorated, and Frank realised he needed to retire to care for her. He retired as the Head of the Handicraft Department of Ravenscroft Secondary Modern School in about 1978 - the school was the location for the TV series 'Grange Hill'. By then he was pleased to retire since teaching had become a strain for him, as children in this era were far less respectful and obedient than their predecessors. Litton Cheney A decisive move Frank and Audrey moved to Litton Cheney in Dorset in 1979. Mrs Smith, Audrey's elderly mother, moved down with them and occupied one of the bedrooms. Village life to the full Frank threw himself into village life, enjoying every aspect and getting thoroughly involved. He organised the village fete for a few years – Diana remembers the fancy dress competitions, where he dreamt up wonderful topical costumes for himself, such as the 'weather man' one year because of the wet summer, and the 'litter man' during the anti-litter campaign. The Harley grandchildren remember taking part in fancy dress competitions. One year Diana was roped in with her friend, Wendy, to be a judge. Audrey dies Sadly Audrey died in 1981, aged 57 years. Frank was left with his Mother-in-Law in the house to care for as she was becoming more dependent, which was a difficult era for him.. Hobbies and interests He began to take craft lessons in the local Junior School; became a PCC member and was involved in the church; and for thirty years he coordinated Country Cars, a service for taking people to hospital appointments from the local Bride Valley. He enjoyed golf and belonged to the West Bay Golf Club. He also threw himself into music – he started to learn the violin again, to play the guitar and had piano lessons. He became a member of the Bridport Music Centre Orchestra (even playing the violin at the millenium concert in the Albert Hall) and the Dorchester Camarata. He started to go to a local Folk Club, joining in the singing and playing. A New Era Barbara It was at a folk club that he and Barbara met some time later, they were married in 1984 and a new era began. During their marriage they ran a business together of antiquarian maps and prints and bric-a-brac. Frank continued picture framing and repairing items for Barbara's shop and stall. They enjoyed knowing the local artists who Frank framed for. They jointly sang in the Bride Valley Choir. Friends and parties Barbara and Frank made many friends in Litton Cheney, and Frank's 80 th and 90 th birthday parties were well attended by both family and numerous friends. The Man Poetry Like many in his generation Frank remembered poetry from his school days, which he had learnt by rote, but in addition he was also known to write poetry himself. One or two of his poems were published, and some found there way into the local magazine. One of his poems is going to be read in this service. Inquisitive mind Frank had a naturally inquisitive and lively mind, almost to the end – he always wanted to learn about things and to understand how things worked. Although the internet was beyond him and he really didn't want to get involved, he nevertheless wanted to try and understand how it worked. He was absolutely amazed that he was actually on the internet – Diana showed him a photograph of him playing the violin on the folk club website. Inclusive As a person he was very inclusive, sometimes modern in outlook, and often accepted people as they were. But he did have strong opinions and was not afraid to express them. Grandchildren Enjoyment Frank derived much pleasure from his grandchildren and Sarah, Jo, Fran, Andrew, Erica and Christopher also remember him with great affection and all have their special memories of him. They enjoyed their visits to Frank and Barbara and found their house fascinating.. Their reflections • They loved listening to the stories of his life • They felt he was young at heart, warm and enthusiastic • They enjoyed making music with him, and he encouraged their musical endeavours • Fishing in his river • Making things with him from scraps of wood in his shed • Having fun on the local beaches • Being supported in their hobbies and having their achievements framed • In later years finding him interested in and even inspiring their choice of careers Great Grandchildren Frank said that he was privileged to meet some of his great grandchildren, and was something that he never thought that he would see. It gave him much pleasure to meet them and place a silver coin in their hand for luck – a family tradition we were told. Conclusion Poor health As you know Frank's health has been poor over the last years and Barbara has been a really great support, carer and strength as he has been very confined. He missed terribly not being able to get into his workshop and, even with Barbara's help, he realised that it was time to lay down his tools. Peaceful death At the end he died very peacefully and quietly in his own home with Barbara, Deborah, Diana and me around the bed – unfortunately CS was unwell and therefore unable to be with us. It was a good death, and he had his wish to die in his own home. Greatly missed He will be greatly missed, but there will be many fond memories of him as we commend him to God with thankfulness for such a long and interesting life, and having had the privilege of knowing him.