Memories of Frank Finch
Title
Memories of Frank Finch
Description
Most people in Oakridge knew Frank, and many people much further away, too.
He was born into the well-known farming family in the hamlet of Tunley, in a beautiful part of the surrounding area of Oakridge. He was cheerful, Lively, and full of jokes and amusing stories. He was incredibly knowledgeable about a wide range of things, and gave good practical advice about anything.
He was warm hearted, and would help out, sometimes quietly in the back-ground, wherever he could.
He was full of charm and charisma, and could literally charm the birds out of the trees. He had a pet robin at one stage, which would fly onto his shoulder.
He was very definite in his views, and wouldn't hesitate to tell someone if he thought he was overstepping the mark - sometimes in quite strong terms.
In his younger days, he was a terrific motor-cycle rider, and loved playing in the motor-cycle football team. He was a keen scrambler, and won many cups in scrambles.
Not to forget too his acting abilities. In several pantomimes in the village, remembering specially the wonderful "Witch of Tunley Wood" written by Jack Poole, ably accompanied on the piano by the talented musician, Patricia Farroll.
There was a sweet performance of "Oh Rowan Tree" in that pantomime by Susan Carrick, and the picture of Frank leaning on his thumb-stick with a long blonde wig, his feet in boots placed at right angles, and leather knee pads is unforgettable.
He frequently shot his white cuffs (as they used to say). There was method in this, because he had notes written on them to aid his memory.
He had a wonderful singing voice , as many who joined in on the singing sessions at the Stirrup Cup in Bisley will remember.
He was very proud of the job the farmers did in the 2nd World War, in putting everything possible to the plough, and of the task of the Home Guard.
If you have seen Juliette Shipman's film of the Stroud area during wartime, you will have heard his story of the manning of the barricades on the Bisley - Eastcombe road, and Frank and group calling out to an innocent cyclist "What' s the password" then Trembling "Mmmmm ! I don't know". Frank and crew "We shall just have to shoot thee then", Peels of laughter! and the story of the German airman, who came through the golden cornfield, with ears of corn between his toes. "Where are your boots?" " Gone! " said the young German making a 'flying to the sky' gesture with both hands. And where's your socks Flying- to-the-sky gesture again. Frank puzzled for years as to where his gun had gone. He thought he saw him throw it into the hedge to his left, but it was never found.
Frank was part of the lost charm and innocent fun of the 20th century, and he moved on far too young.
He was born into the well-known farming family in the hamlet of Tunley, in a beautiful part of the surrounding area of Oakridge. He was cheerful, Lively, and full of jokes and amusing stories. He was incredibly knowledgeable about a wide range of things, and gave good practical advice about anything.
He was warm hearted, and would help out, sometimes quietly in the back-ground, wherever he could.
He was full of charm and charisma, and could literally charm the birds out of the trees. He had a pet robin at one stage, which would fly onto his shoulder.
He was very definite in his views, and wouldn't hesitate to tell someone if he thought he was overstepping the mark - sometimes in quite strong terms.
In his younger days, he was a terrific motor-cycle rider, and loved playing in the motor-cycle football team. He was a keen scrambler, and won many cups in scrambles.
Not to forget too his acting abilities. In several pantomimes in the village, remembering specially the wonderful "Witch of Tunley Wood" written by Jack Poole, ably accompanied on the piano by the talented musician, Patricia Farroll.
There was a sweet performance of "Oh Rowan Tree" in that pantomime by Susan Carrick, and the picture of Frank leaning on his thumb-stick with a long blonde wig, his feet in boots placed at right angles, and leather knee pads is unforgettable.
He frequently shot his white cuffs (as they used to say). There was method in this, because he had notes written on them to aid his memory.
He had a wonderful singing voice , as many who joined in on the singing sessions at the Stirrup Cup in Bisley will remember.
He was very proud of the job the farmers did in the 2nd World War, in putting everything possible to the plough, and of the task of the Home Guard.
If you have seen Juliette Shipman's film of the Stroud area during wartime, you will have heard his story of the manning of the barricades on the Bisley - Eastcombe road, and Frank and group calling out to an innocent cyclist "What' s the password" then Trembling "Mmmmm ! I don't know". Frank and crew "We shall just have to shoot thee then", Peels of laughter! and the story of the German airman, who came through the golden cornfield, with ears of corn between his toes. "Where are your boots?" " Gone! " said the young German making a 'flying to the sky' gesture with both hands. And where's your socks Flying- to-the-sky gesture again. Frank puzzled for years as to where his gun had gone. He thought he saw him throw it into the hedge to his left, but it was never found.
Frank was part of the lost charm and innocent fun of the 20th century, and he moved on far too young.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Memories of Frank Finch,” Oakridge Archives, accessed April 29, 2024, https://oakridgearchives.omeka.net/items/show/483.