'It was on 22 August 1940, four-and-a-half long years before, that some 600 men and 40 officers of the 3rd Hussars had sailed away to war. Now only 170 men and just 2 officers were left to sail home again. If we were bound, however fleetingly, to contemplate these facts, I am sure our thoughts were more profitably engaged at looking to the future. The past is always the past, but the future was for us, stretching away into open country.'
Major Richard Heseltine M.C.
Major Richard Heseltine M.C.
Frank described returning to England at the end of his diary, and as far as we know, never wrote another entry. He was posted to Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, which housed the 61st Training regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps. Some of the remaining buildings have been made into a museum, and the tank Tracks into a Heritage Trail. www.staintongrove.com
His testimonial on his release papers says: 'Employed as an electrician in Tank Workshops. He possesses a sound knowledge of his trade and his work has given satisfaction. Reliable, conscientious and trustworthy at all times. Military conduct - Exemplary.' His rank was WS/Corporal which means a Lance Corporal during wartime.
In July of 1945 he was granted unpaid agricultural leave, and discharged and transferred to the Reserve in May of 1946.
In July of 1945 he was granted unpaid agricultural leave, and discharged and transferred to the Reserve in May of 1946.
During Frank's service abroad, he did not know my mother, whose name was Margaret Wallbank, although she was not a relative. In her essay 'My 21st year', written for the Age Concern 1991 competition, Margaret described their first meeting.
She was in her first teaching post in Manchester, but returned to Longridge for the VJ day celebrations.
" Excitement was running high with talk of an atom bomb, and horror stories of Hiroshima and then suddenly it was ALL OVER- victory in Japan. VJ Day and all the rejoicing that went with it was celebrated back home and I wasn't going to be caught away. Village parties, children's parties, and a gala dance in the Co-op room were hastily organised.
We danced to a 3 piece band and went out in the interval to have a shandy in the pub opposite. I wouldn't tell my Mother about that, though I did fancy the soldier that invited me. He was a local lad, just home after 5 years in the Middle East and had a lot more to offer than 'the regulars' - those lads in reserved occupations like farming who were exempted from war service. It was great to meet someone whose horizons were not bounded by the local picture house or the nearest town. 3 or 4 more dates followed in quick succession before his leave ended. After that the postman delivered daily bulletins- letters coming down from Durham in under 24 hours for one and a half pence and delivered by a postie on a bicycle.
`Back to a new school year in September '45 we soon realised war was over. There was demob talk in the air, and the school was going to get its 2 soldier-teachers back. Meanwhile, army life was much more relaxed for my boyfriend, and he had lots of visits to Manchester, where he was welcomed by the family I lodged with, especially as he brought 'rations' with him.
Army days were numbered, everyone waiting for the date they would return to civilian life. As a fitting climax to a memorable year, we announced our engagement, and with the prospect of a January demob, looked forward to the rest of our lives together.' (Age Concern Essay, Margaret Wallbank, 1991)
She was in her first teaching post in Manchester, but returned to Longridge for the VJ day celebrations.
" Excitement was running high with talk of an atom bomb, and horror stories of Hiroshima and then suddenly it was ALL OVER- victory in Japan. VJ Day and all the rejoicing that went with it was celebrated back home and I wasn't going to be caught away. Village parties, children's parties, and a gala dance in the Co-op room were hastily organised.
We danced to a 3 piece band and went out in the interval to have a shandy in the pub opposite. I wouldn't tell my Mother about that, though I did fancy the soldier that invited me. He was a local lad, just home after 5 years in the Middle East and had a lot more to offer than 'the regulars' - those lads in reserved occupations like farming who were exempted from war service. It was great to meet someone whose horizons were not bounded by the local picture house or the nearest town. 3 or 4 more dates followed in quick succession before his leave ended. After that the postman delivered daily bulletins- letters coming down from Durham in under 24 hours for one and a half pence and delivered by a postie on a bicycle.
`Back to a new school year in September '45 we soon realised war was over. There was demob talk in the air, and the school was going to get its 2 soldier-teachers back. Meanwhile, army life was much more relaxed for my boyfriend, and he had lots of visits to Manchester, where he was welcomed by the family I lodged with, especially as he brought 'rations' with him.
Army days were numbered, everyone waiting for the date they would return to civilian life. As a fitting climax to a memorable year, we announced our engagement, and with the prospect of a January demob, looked forward to the rest of our lives together.' (Age Concern Essay, Margaret Wallbank, 1991)
Margaret and Frank bought an old stone-built farmhouse , with farm buildings and 52 acres - Wood Top Farm in Grimsargh, Lancashire. It was built in 1724, and had had few alterations since then. They lived there, gradually adding modern conveniences, such as an inside toilet, until 1974, and their 5 children were born there: June in 1951, Jill in 1953, Linda in 1954, Alison in 1957 and Stephen in 1961. Frank was a farmer, with a milking herd of cattle, and initially hens, sheep ,a pig and a carthorse.
The horse gave way to a tractor, and the hens and sheep went, as it became uneconomical to keep small quantities of animals.
He began to deal in calves, and to fatten heifers on land he rented near Longridge quarries. In these early years, it was a struggle to make a good living for a family of five children on a relatively small farm.
The horse gave way to a tractor, and the hens and sheep went, as it became uneconomical to keep small quantities of animals.
He began to deal in calves, and to fatten heifers on land he rented near Longridge quarries. In these early years, it was a struggle to make a good living for a family of five children on a relatively small farm.
Margaret returned to infant teaching at Thornley school, and all 5 children went first to local grammar schools - the girls to Penworthan Girls' Grammar, and Steve to Blackburn, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar - and then to university. In 1974 Wood Top was compulsorily purchased as part of a 'New Town' plan, and Margaret and Frank moved to 'Greyfriars' on Alston Lane, just a few miles away.
As far as I know, Frank never contacted, or met comrades he had made during the war. His socialising was always with his or Margaret's family, and as grandchildren began to be born, visiting his children, who by now lived in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Durham, Somerset and Gloucestershire.
However, in retirement, they visited several of the places Frank had seen in the War - Egypt, Israel and Palestine, and Italy, as well as visits further afield, to America, India and a safari in Africa. They had 10 grandchildren, all of whom gave them a great deal of pleasure, but sadly did not live to see them begin families of their own.
Click to enlarge and to see the date.
Click to enlarge and to see the date.
Frank's final year was spent in Alston Lodge Retirement home on Lower Lane in Longridge, just across the road from his former home. He died, peacefully, aged 88, on May 3rd 2007.
Around a hundred people attended his funeral. Margaret died 7 months later. Their ashes lie in the Garden of Remembrance in Grimsargh St Michael's churchyard. You are the bows from which
Kahlil Gilbran- 'The Prophet.'
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