Tribute To Frank Mitchell 1928 ? 2011
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:49 pm
From: Roy Hodgkinson MBE
Frank was born in St. Helen?s, Lancashire in 1928. His early interests were in steam railways, motorcycles and everything mechanical and electrical.
I first met Frank in 1954 when we both worked for Air Ministry seconded to the American Forces Radio/Radar Maintenance base at Burtonwood, Lancashire.
With the fear of redundancy at Burtonwood, Frank and I casually approached the Billinge Home Office Depot on Billinge Hill at the top of Crank Road on a Saturday morning to enquire about possible employment. Whilst having a cup of tea, unknown to us, interview arrangements were being made with the Regional Engineer, Mr. Birchall, C.W.T. Tertius Dobson and S.W.T. Bert Green. Fortunately both Frank and I got the Wireless Technician jobs and started together in 1957 the year after Frank had been best man at my wedding.
I left Billinge in 1965 to come to South Wales and Frank left in 1966 to work in Harrow as S.W.T. He was later granted a sideways transfer to the sub-depot in Colwyn Bay.
During his stay in Colwyn Bay he became well known for assisting others on all matters of a mechanical or electrical nature. He also became very active with the Lions Club there.
In 1985 Frank was promoted to C.W.T. and returned to Harrow and later Horseferry House and lived in rented accommodation in Tring.
Two years after his retirement in 1988 he decided to move to Worcester to be close to his daughter and her family.
Unfortunately during the last five years Frank?s health deteriorated due to diabetes, heart surgery and later prostate cancer.
His last couple of days were spent in St. Richard?s Hospice in Worcester and his funeral took place at Worcester Crematorium on Monday 7th February 2011 conducted by a Minister, who originated from St. Helen?s, and who had a similar sense of humour as Frank and this was appreciated by all who attended.
Frank was born in St. Helen?s, Lancashire in 1928. His early interests were in steam railways, motorcycles and everything mechanical and electrical.
I first met Frank in 1954 when we both worked for Air Ministry seconded to the American Forces Radio/Radar Maintenance base at Burtonwood, Lancashire.
With the fear of redundancy at Burtonwood, Frank and I casually approached the Billinge Home Office Depot on Billinge Hill at the top of Crank Road on a Saturday morning to enquire about possible employment. Whilst having a cup of tea, unknown to us, interview arrangements were being made with the Regional Engineer, Mr. Birchall, C.W.T. Tertius Dobson and S.W.T. Bert Green. Fortunately both Frank and I got the Wireless Technician jobs and started together in 1957 the year after Frank had been best man at my wedding.
I left Billinge in 1965 to come to South Wales and Frank left in 1966 to work in Harrow as S.W.T. He was later granted a sideways transfer to the sub-depot in Colwyn Bay.
During his stay in Colwyn Bay he became well known for assisting others on all matters of a mechanical or electrical nature. He also became very active with the Lions Club there.
In 1985 Frank was promoted to C.W.T. and returned to Harrow and later Horseferry House and lived in rented accommodation in Tring.
Two years after his retirement in 1988 he decided to move to Worcester to be close to his daughter and her family.
Unfortunately during the last five years Frank?s health deteriorated due to diabetes, heart surgery and later prostate cancer.
His last couple of days were spent in St. Richard?s Hospice in Worcester and his funeral took place at Worcester Crematorium on Monday 7th February 2011 conducted by a Minister, who originated from St. Helen?s, and who had a similar sense of humour as Frank and this was appreciated by all who attended.