Frank Wilkinson Durigan, 1922 to 2010
DAVID BILLINGTON
Dear Members,
It is with deep regret that I have to announce the death, on 17th September 2010, of Association Member Frank Wilkinson Durigan, at the age of 88.
Frank, who lived at Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria, was at PGS from 1933 to 1940, where he had been in Thornley House. He had kept in touch with other Old Boys, notably Bob Simpson, Ron King and Geoff Barnes. Together they walked the Lakes, an activity so popular that Bob and Ron moved to Grange, and Geoff stayed with the others in turn! Sadly, Frank was the last survivor from this group, which probably had its origins in the School Camp.
Frank went to Manchester University for two years before being called up for War Service. He joined the Royal Navy and served in India and Ceylon, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and becoming a Chartered Electrical Engineer. After the War he returned to Manchester to finish his Degree, and then worked for the CEGB, where he met his wife, Joyce. He remained with the Electricity Board and its successors until his retirement in 1980.
A keen sportsman, Frank represented the University of Manchester at Rugby on a tour of Canada. He leaves behind five grandchildren, who are all at University themselves. Joyce believes that at least he passed on his brain!
His funeral is at 1pm, at St Paul’s Church, Grange, on Monday 27th September 2010. Any Old Boys wishing to attend are welcome to do so. The thoughts of the Association go with Joyce, and his family and friends at this difficult time.
Charlie.
Ian Kidd
on the website on the History-School page is it possible to have a more detailed copy of the Lancashire life artcle from 1961? When downloaded each page is only about 310Kb in size and too small to read without blowing them up. When you enlarge them the filesize is such that the detail is destroyed. I think it's a very interesting article which covers a period just before I started at PGS in 1962 and I'd like to see a good qulaity copy.
Keep up the great work
Kind Regards
Ian Kidd
Canberra, Australia