I would like to spend a few minutes taking you on a short journey through our mother’s long lifeThis started in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. She was a daughter to Cecille and Bob. When she was 8 months old the family moved back to England, settling in Purley near Croydon.
In December 1938, Bob re-joined the Navy, posted to Singapore. The family duly followed him out.
In 1939 Franciann, aged 8, attended a boarding school in Malaya up in the Cameron Highlands. Every term she departed on the night train with her good friend Elaine Rand. Franciann quickly learned to swim and this passion for swimming stayed with her throughout her life, this January swimming over 8 lengths of a 25 m pool. Cecille acquired the first of 10 cats, a female, from the Vegetable market. She was of course named Sayur, Malay for vegetable.
On 8th December 1941, Japanese forces invaded the north of the Malay peninsula. Approximately 3 weeks later, mother and daughter escaped by ship bound for Sydney, Australia. This was a fraught journey with all passengers continually looking out for enemy submarines and carrying lifejackets at all times.
Whist in Australia Cecille finally received a telegram from Bob to say that he was safely out of Singapore. Naturally, a big relief for mother and daughter.
After 3 months in Sydney Franciann and her mother took a ship bound for Glasgow. Soon after arriving in the UK they were happily reunited with her father. Mother and daughter settled in Haslemere, Surrey, after spending a few months with Cecille’s parents near Herne Bay. Bob was posted to North Africa until the end of the war.
Franciann went to the Royal Naval school, Haslemere, where she struck up a lifelong friendship with Sally Whitestone and Biddy Walter.
Franciann celebrated her 16th birthday, going to her first opera, Carmen, so igniting her love for Opera, whether in London, Glyndebourne or the Kino live stream in Hawkhurst.
Whilst a teenager, Franciann was invited to a neighbour’s tea party which was also attended by Prince Phillip. When introduced to the Prince, she told him that they had had 10 cats in Singapore!
After passing her School Certificate exam, Franciann trained as a Secretary and initially worked for a local firm of Chartered Accountants.
In 1951 Franciann moved to London to pursue her career, living at The Helena Club. Whilst there, she met Cynthia Archibald, Pat Swinhoe-Standen and Ann Pippet.
In the early 1950’s Franciann met Alan at a drinks party at which Alan’s brother, Rony introduced Franciann to Alan after she had told him of her keen interest in sailing. Alan and Franciann enjoyed dinghy sailing and visits to the opera. In due course, Alan proposed to Franciann on a cold winter’s day in the centre of the maze at Hampton Court. Marriage followed shortly after. Their subsequent honeymoon in Italy was the first of many holidays in Italy as well as other European countries. Seats at the Opera were an integral part of many of their holidays.
Move on a few years and Alan and Franciann, now in Hawkhurst, had their hands full with a young family to bring up… Celia, myself and Niko. With a laden down car, we had numerous happy camping holidays in the UK and France, then onto even more adventurous sailing holidays. Alan and Franciann’s ultimate sailing trip, crossing the English Channel in their 17 foot sailing boat.
Alan and Franciann had a long and happy marriage celebrating their Diamond wedding anniversary on a wonderful cruise up the River Thames past Windsor Castle.
Franciann loved flower arranging, helping at this very church for 40 years. A photo of her arrangement at the 2004 Hawkhurst Flower festival is in your Service booklet. She enjoyed visiting numerous gardens with Alan. Those of you who recall her garden at Little Paddocks may remember her beautiful rose beds. Roses were her favourite flowers
Throughout her life Franciann wanted to help others. This included as the local Amnesty International Publicity Officer fund raising and letter writing to authoritarian regimes requesting them to free their political prisoners; And as secretary to Lord Longford, a leading Prisoner Rights Campaigner.
Amongst other community activities she involved herself with the Cottage Hospital League of Friends.
She enjoyed showing her flock of Jacob Sheep at local Agricultural shows, transporting them on the back seat of our car.
She ran a camp site for many years, and made some great friends with the campers, most notably the Ambrose family.
In retirement, Franciann refused to rest on her laurels, volunteering with Alan at Canterbury Oast Trust’s Highlands Farm, where Niko had spent his happiest years.
In later life, Mum took great interest in her Grandchildren, Emma, Adam and Mark, as they progressed through life; introducing them to Mah-Jong, one of her favourite games. They too enjoy her love of travel. In 2019 she was delighted to become a Great Grandmother.
Much loved Wife to Alan, Mum to Celia, Niko, and me, Gran to Emma, Adam and Mark, and Great Gran to Hannah. Franciann – you live on in us all. You touched the lives of many, setting a fine example, and will be lovingly remembered.