Dagenham Days

In 1928, Frank Beale, was born in Fulham but at just 9 months old his parents brought him to live in Dagenham, on the Becontree Estate. Educated at Hunter’s Hall Infants and Junior Schools then Eastbrook Senior School, he left at 14 years of age to start work as a grocer’s assistant with J Bloch in Oxlow Lane.  He liked shop work and through working there he came to know Evelyn, his wife, an assistant in the hardware shop next door.

Similar to so many local newly-weds of the post war years, they set up home in one room. Later they moved to a prefab and then in 1965 they moved to  the house in Oxlow Lane, home to Frank ever since. They had two children and Frank, like many local men, soon joined the well-paid workforce at Ford Motor Co.

After serving time on the ‘line’, Frank’s shopkeeping skills eventually found a use when he was placed in the Non Production Store. In that age without computers, his ability to be able to remember, organise and locate hundreds of parts, was a skill to be prized. Even today, Frank can recall the specific number of parts and where they were located in the store at Fords!

Frank and Evelyn enjoyed holiday trips, their garden and their growing family then retirement together. Sadly, Evelyn died in 2009, and in need of company, Frank offered to volunteer at Valence House. The years since have been a great mutual benefit, he learning many new skills with new friends, and in return the staff and volunteers at Valence House have received inspiration from his energy and commitment.

Writing stories, poems and jottings has been another outcome - a flowering of his creativity! Each piece of writing tentatively offered has allowed us to enjoy his dream-like imagination - which is why we have encouraged him to share his thoughts with you…