OBITUARY

Frank Bloom

Frank was born during 1926, the youngest of seven children, and was therefore old enough to serve in the Royal Navy in the latter part of the War. In 1945 he followed his father and joined the Walton & Frinton lifeboat, becoming the youngest Coxswain in the country at that time. He won both Silver and Bronze medals, as well as the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum.

During the summer months he plied for hire on the seafront with his boat [Lady Kent], making many trips to Radio Caroline. In the winter he ran a good business farming oysters -- most of which are now exported to Brussels -- an enterprise carried on by his son Owen.

Frank was an honorary member of the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club, a Brother of the Ancient Order of Foresters, Chairman of the Allotment Association, Chairman of the Walton Heritage Trust and Secretary of the Wildfowlers Association and had many other varied and interesting pursuits. He joined the Ocean Cruising Club in 1985, having qualified two years previously with a passage from Falmouth to Gibraltar aboard the 50ft Sephine II.

In latter years Frank took up the position of Warden of the Hamford Waters. The area of the Backwaters covers many hundreds of acres. Bringing to the position his vast knowledge of local flora and fauna it was always a great pleasure to accompany Frank on board the Game Bird around his lovely area and learn so many new things about it.

Frank was a very gentle and modest man, loved by everybody who knew him. He leaves his wife Valery, three children and six grandchildren.

GVW