Frank was born in the Upperton Road Maternity Home, Eastbourne. He began his schooling at the age of 5 at All Souls Infant School, moving on to Bourne Junior School and Cavendish School before being evacuated to Hitchin, where he attended Wiltshire Dacre School with older brother Sinclair.

On return to Eastbourne in 1943, the brothers attended the Grammar School as members of Devonshire House. Frank played in school cricket and football teams and was also a librarian. While still at the School Frank also played football, along with other Grammarians, for Pevensey Minors.

On leaving school, Frank joined the National Provincial Bank where he subsequently tutored another Old Grammarian, Gilbert French (who mentored the author of this obituary). National Service then took Frank into the RAF until January 1952, where he had attained the rank of SAC / Acting Corporal upon discharge. During his service he was named Best Recruit and was posted to Singapore and Malaya as supplementary aircrew; his duties included taking part in supply drops to troops in the Malay jungle, which earned him the GSM Malaya Medal.
Returning to the National Provincial Bank in 1952, Frank discovered he was at risk of being posted to the North East; he handed in his notice and joined the Dental Estimates Board, where he remained until retirement in 1991. His career at the DEB was exemplary and he rose to the position of Director of Management Information Systems; in this role he worked closely with the Clerk to the Board on a major re-organisation, work recognised with the award of an OBE in 1990. It was at the Board that Frank met Joan in 1954; they were married in 1958.

Sport was always an important part of Frank’s life. An excellent cricketer, Frank was a high-class batsman and brilliant fielder in the covers; he scored heavily, including numerous centuries, for a number of clubs including Eastbourne, Upperton, Hurst Green, The Dragons and The 40 Club. His football career was mainly with Eastbourne Town in the old Corinthian League; a reliable full back, he played exactly 150 games between 1951 and 1960, scoring just one goal during the 1957/58 season. Frank later saw golf as a replacement for cricket and became a member of the Royal Eastbourne GC; he became an adept player, taking part in many competitions, not least the twice-yearly Old Grammarians events.

Frank’s other particular interests were sea and coarse fishing, gardening and music, especially jazz and big bands. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Old Grammarians, serving from 2009-18 on the Executive Committee where his forthright contributions were always worth listening to; he never missed the annual reunion in November.
Sadly in 2019 Frank was involved in a horrendous car accident; his car was written off and he was in intensive care for several weeks with multiple broken ribs and other injuries. Showing the courage, desire and strength that had marked his life, Frank survived but the accident had taken its toll and dementia emerged. Frank became a resident at Bowes House Care Home in Hailsham, where he remained until his passing. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 64 years, son David (also an Old Grammarian), daughter Alison and their children.

Brian York