PETER FRANKLIN: Carpenter was man of many talents (From Oxford Mail)

PETER FRANKLIN: Carpenter was man of many talents

3:45pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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PETER Franklin, who has died aged 82, had a varied career as a carpenter, soldier, and bellringer.

He came from a well-known Kidlington family and lived in the village all his life.

He attended the old village school in School Road, then went to Gosford Hill School.

After leaving school at 14, he worked in his uncle’s hardware store in Kidlington, and in a toy and fancy goods shop in the village.

At the start of the war, he lied about his age and joined the National Fire Service as a messenger boy.

He later joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, serving in Egypt. After the war, he trained as a carpenter.

Later, he, his brother David and a friend formed their own building business.

He rang the bells at St Mary’s Church, Kidlington, for more than 60 years.

As a member of Kidlington Royal British Legion, he collected for the Poppy Appeal and regularly stood in Headley Way, Headington, with other ex-servicemen to honour soldiers killed overseas.

Mr Franklin, who lived in Mill Street, leaves a widow, Joyce, three daughters, Shirley, Christine and Valerie, and six grandchildren. Family and friends packed St Mary’s Church for his funeral.