Frank was born in 1918, the youngest of 9 children of Alfred and Margaret Wallbank, who lived at White Carr Lodge, between Ribchester and Knowle Green, Lancashire. His brothers were Tom, Alfred, Herbert, Jack, Harry,and Douglas and sisters Margaret, who died before Frank's birth, and Gladys.
I never met either of my father's parents, who died before I was born, but it is clear from the diaries, that Frank was very fond of his Mother, sending her presents from all his different postings, and often writing and sending home photos. She died soon after he was demobbed in 1946. |
Frank attended Knowle Green Day School, a building erected in 1830 as the first Congregational Church, which became a schoolroom when the present Church was built in 1867.The headmaster was Mr W.B. Clitheroe and when Frank was in the 'top class' and used to finish his work before the rest of the children, he was sent to clean out the Headmaster's chickens, or to collect wood for his fire.
After Junior School, Frank went to Technical School in Preston, leaving at 14 to begin work in a woodworking company who did French polishing, and made coffins.
When he had the opportunity to enlist for National Service, he jumped at the chance, and left in June 1939, little realising that on September 3rd 1939, Great Britain and France would declare war on Germany. Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain,ended his speech with these words, and Frank's war began.
'Now may God bless you all. May He defend the right. It is the evil things that we shall be fighting against – brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution – and against them I am certain that the right will prevail.'
When he had the opportunity to enlist for National Service, he jumped at the chance, and left in June 1939, little realising that on September 3rd 1939, Great Britain and France would declare war on Germany. Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain,ended his speech with these words, and Frank's war began.
'Now may God bless you all. May He defend the right. It is the evil things that we shall be fighting against – brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution – and against them I am certain that the right will prevail.'