PARK LIVES ~ Part 2
A Fully Fuelled Mayor
Alderman Frederick William Henry Park MBE Mayor of Torbay 1969-70
The Man Frederick William Henry Park was born 26th March 1904 in Islington only son of Frederick Henry Park, a Photographic Apparatus Maker and later an Assurance & Insurance Agent, and Florence Annie nee Bingham. Frederick lived with his family at 24 Newington Green Islington, and was Christened on 5th June 1904 at St Peter De Beauvois in Hackney, by Reverend C J Finch MA. By the time of the 1911 census the family were living at 18 Carysfoot Road, Stoke Newington. On 20th April 1909, Frederick, aged 5 was admitted into Oldfield Road School, which had been opened in 1882, and later became the Daniel Defoe Secondary School in 1951. During World War I Frederick’s father was conscripted into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in January 1916, returning safely following the Armistice and then moving the family to Coombeside, Heath Road, Brixham. Frederick now aged 15 and likely to have finished his formal education began working for a local petroleum company and married Doris Mary Jackman in Totnes during the third quarter of 1927 aged 23, they having two daughters, Marion Ann Park born on 29th July 1934 and Enid Mary in the second quarter of 1944. By 1939 the family were living at ‘Medina’ New Road, Brixham. Frederick listed as a Foreman Petroleum installation and Doris as doing unpaid domestic work. It is likely Frederick’s role was a reserved occupation as he appears not have served during the Second World War. By 1968 Frederick has risen to Manager of the Brixham Bulk Plant, Esso Petroleum Company and in the Birthday Honours List of 8th June 1968 was appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work at Esso, travelling to Buckingham Palace with Doris, Marion and Enid to receive it.
Frederick and Doris lived at ‘Medina’, 86 New Road in Brixham and he became involved in local politics in the Torbay area and was elected a Councillor, later Alderman and became Mayor of Torbay for the municipal year of 1969-70. He was later elevated to an Honorary Freeman of the city and this was conferred on 28th March 1974. Another of Frederick’s passions was the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of which he was a member for many years, serving at the Brixham / Torbay Station and as their Secretary for 27 years from 1948 until 1975 and was made an Honorary Life Governor. Doris died on 18th May 1990 aged 87 leaving £176,000.oo in her will. Sadly Marion, whose surname was now Camplin died on 12th July 1994 aged just 60, and Frederick himself passed away on 9th November 1997 aged 93 in Torbay, Devon. He was buried with his parents in St. Mary’s churchyard, Brixham.
Frederick William Henry Park with his wife Doris & daughters Marion Ann & Enid at Buckingham Palace.
Torbay Past Mayors Roll of Honour. Town Hall, Torquay
The Story For the story see Frederick Henry Park.
The Borough of Torbay
Official blazon
Arms: Azure a Lymphad Or flying Flags and Streamer of St. George sail argent pendent from the masthead by a Cable Or the Beams and Stocks of four Anchors conjoined in cross Gules on a Chief enarched Or a Mural Crown Gules.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a Crosier erect Or between two Dolphins heads downward and outward Azure finned Or all enfiled through a Horseshoe Argent.
Supporters: On either side a Sea-Lion proper head and mane Gules and pendent from a Cable about the neck proper a Tau Cross Or.
Motto: 'SALUS ET FELICITAS' - Health and happiness
Origin/meaning:
The arms were officially granted on May 12, 1968. They are a simple map
of Torbay, with the gold enarched chief representing the sandy beaches,
and the blue field the sea. The ship represents the maritime interests of the borough. The St George's flag and streamers recall the area's historic links with the Royal Navy. From the masthead hangs a cross composed of the stocks of four anchors. This suggests the fusion of four maritime councils in one. Each of the arms of the cross resembles a letter T for "Torbay". On the chief is a mural crown, symbol of local government, and thus showing the Borough situated on Tor Bay. The crown is coloured red, the colour of Devon earth, and has four crenellations for the four old councils.
The blue and gold livery colours refer to the sea and sands of this seaside resort. Blue also featured in the arms or devices of Torquay, paignton and Brixham. These are also the livery colours of the arms of Nassau, commemorating the landing of William of Orange at Brixham, to become King William III. Dolphins featured in the crests of both Paignton and Torquay, and are commonly found in the arms of seaside towns. The crosier is from the arms of Torre Abbey, and the horseshoe is taken from the Ferrers family arms and represents Churston Ferrers. The supporters are sealions, and are derived from the sinister supporter of the arms of Devon County Council. The leonone part of the supporters are coloured red, like the lion in the arms of the County Council. Each supporter is differenced by a cable around the neck from which hangs a Tau cross. This suggests the initial T of the Borough's name, and also sounds like the word "Tor", which names the bay.
Official blazon
Arms: Azure a Lymphad Or flying Flags and Streamer of St. George sail argent pendent from the masthead by a Cable Or the Beams and Stocks of four Anchors conjoined in cross Gules on a Chief enarched Or a Mural Crown Gules.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a Crosier erect Or between two Dolphins heads downward and outward Azure finned Or all enfiled through a Horseshoe Argent.
Supporters: On either side a Sea-Lion proper head and mane Gules and pendent from a Cable about the neck proper a Tau Cross Or.
Motto: 'SALUS ET FELICITAS' - Health and happiness
Origin/meaning:
The arms were officially granted on May 12, 1968. They are a simple map
of Torbay, with the gold enarched chief representing the sandy beaches,
and the blue field the sea. The ship represents the maritime interests of the borough. The St George's flag and streamers recall the area's historic links with the Royal Navy. From the masthead hangs a cross composed of the stocks of four anchors. This suggests the fusion of four maritime councils in one. Each of the arms of the cross resembles a letter T for "Torbay". On the chief is a mural crown, symbol of local government, and thus showing the Borough situated on Tor Bay. The crown is coloured red, the colour of Devon earth, and has four crenellations for the four old councils.
The blue and gold livery colours refer to the sea and sands of this seaside resort. Blue also featured in the arms or devices of Torquay, paignton and Brixham. These are also the livery colours of the arms of Nassau, commemorating the landing of William of Orange at Brixham, to become King William III. Dolphins featured in the crests of both Paignton and Torquay, and are commonly found in the arms of seaside towns. The crosier is from the arms of Torre Abbey, and the horseshoe is taken from the Ferrers family arms and represents Churston Ferrers. The supporters are sealions, and are derived from the sinister supporter of the arms of Devon County Council. The leonone part of the supporters are coloured red, like the lion in the arms of the County Council. Each supporter is differenced by a cable around the neck from which hangs a Tau cross. This suggests the initial T of the Borough's name, and also sounds like the word "Tor", which names the bay.
Medal Details:
- Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Past Mayor's Jewel: ALDERMAN.F.W.PARK. M.B.E. 1969-70
- Honorary Freeman Jewel: FREDERICK W.H.PARK M.B.E. conferred 28th March 1974
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This page last updated 9 Feb 19