Life Story

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Frank was born on December 23rd 1924. He lived in the east

end of London - Collingwood Street, Stepney. He was educated

first at Stamford Hill Primary and then Upton House, Hackney

(now knocked down) but left school aged 14. He joined the

cadets and also the Home Guard, and was always keen to

serve in the military. Initially training as a welder, Frank worked

at Straughan’s, where he most likely welded the army’s first

welded Armoured Car, as well as working on the girders for

aircraft hangers. He warned the company that they were using

the wrong welding rods, but they chose to ignore Frank – until

the gun was fired ad the car fell to pieces. When the time

came, Straughan’s did not want him to join up, but suddenly his

work deteriorated and they knew that his heart was elsewhere

let him go.

Frank volunteered on his 18th birthday, and joined in February,

1943. He went first to Woolwich arsenal then to Arnold in