Reference
Z1681
Title
World War Two drawings and photograph by Frank Howard Wakefield (deceased)
Date free text
n.d. [1940-1942]
Production date
From: 1940 To: 1942
Admin/biog history
Information from the depositor, Mr Wakefield's step granddaughter.
Frank Wakefield was born on 4 June 1909 and lived with his parents and elder brother at The Green, Cardington. He was a sickly child and lost an eye, aged 14, due to scarlet fever. In his late teens Frank contracted rheumatic fever and lost the use of his legs. He was completely housebound and taught himself how to draw. It took him several years to learn to walk again and always had a limp. His mother also contracted the fever, but never walked again.
Following the death of her husband in 1941 Maude Cunnington moved next door to Frank with her four young children. He helped her and also began drawing again, including portraits of army, airforce and naval personnel and screen stars. On 30 March 1944 Maude and Frank were married at Bedford Registry Office.
Frank joined the army in an administrative post based in Ashford [Kent]. He was demobbed on health grounds and the family moved to Shortstown where he worked in the NAFFI on RAF Cardington and in Shortstown shop. He later went on to work in the bottling unit on the base before he retired. Due to severe hand shaking he was unable to draw for a number of years.
After the death of his wife Frank moved to London Road, Bedford where he died in 1986, aged 77.
Scope and Content
Many of the drawings have been labelled by the artist, some have been identified by the depositor, others are unidentified.
Level of description
fonds