"The Man who saved London from drowning, during The Blitz"

Thomas Peirson Frank. (Elliott & Fry, Public domain)

During World War II, especially during The Blitz, London was heavily bombed. 

Bombers flew along the River Thames, dropping bombs on the dockyards and industrial sites, before moving towards the City itself, using Tower Bridge as a point of reference.

Because London is a low-lying city the River Thames embankments were targeted, too, in the hopes of flooding some of the area.

However, they didn't know about Thomas Peirson Frank.

Thomas Peirson Frank was born into a farming family in Yorkshire, in 1881. He was educated at Pickering Grammar School and Huddersfield Technical College, before gaining three years of practical experience training under Huddersfield borough engineer, K.P. Campbell.

Over the next few years he gained further experience in general construction, the laying of sewers and water mains, maintenance of roads and tramways and much more.

In 1908, he became the city engineer for Ripon. During the four years that he worked here he was responsible for extending the sewage disposal works and also the construction of two river dams.

He then spent between three or four years in various roles in Cardiff, Liverpool, Plymouth and Stockton-on-Tees. In Cardiff he acted as a surveyor and performed a similar role in Liverpool. While in Plymouth he was responsible for construction work, which included roads and sewers for a housing scheme. In Stockton-on-Tees he was the borough engineer. During his time in Liverpool he also lectured at Liverpool University.

Walking with Keilyn: Victory in Europe 80 Celebrations (VE-Day 80)

Monday May 5, 2025.

With the Victory in Europe 80th Celebrations getting  underway, today, Keilyn and I set off to enjoy the festivities. A taxi took us to Watford Underground station, where we boarded a Baker Street-bound train. My mum and uncle Martin had left earlier in the morning, heading for The Mall and St James's Park, in order to see the procession and catch the flypast from there. We changed at Finchley Road and caught a Jubilee line train, to Green Park, as Keilyn thought it would nice to catch up to mum and Martin. 

On exiting Green Park station we were herded, like cattle, down the east path towards The Mall. Vendors were selling Union flags and other merchandise, as the crowds flowed in both directions. On reaching The Mall we were given VE Day flags and then realised that there was no way we would see anything and, with my mum and Martin on the other side of the road, we retraced our steps, heading for Piccadilly.

Photo © Keilyn J A Morrissey.

Heading east, along Piccadilly, we made our way against the throng of people still heading to Green Park, before we reached Piccadilly Circus. To our surprise Piccadilly Circus was deserted of people, so we headed towards Leicester Square, stopping at Greggs to pick some nourishment, which we ate in an almost deserted Leicester Square. 

Once we had eaten we had our photos taken with Mr Bean and Paddington Bear, before heading along Irving Street and, after crossing Charing Cross Road, followed William IV Street to Strand. Again the roads were fairly clear, so we headed down Adam Street, where Keilyn had her photo taken outside the door of Number 10, before we turned down John Adam Street, heading for York Buildings.

At the end of York Buildings, on the left-hand side, is a lovely building which was the first home of GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters). A green plaque, affixed to the wall, tells us this. However, if you look at the plaque closely, it contains a hidden message, that many people miss. Can you work it out?

We then entered Victoria Embankment Gardens, beside the York Watergate, and headed for Kippo's Coffee & Gelato, as I was in need of a coffee, while Keilyn was aching for a hot chocolate. With drinks in hand we walked along Victoria Embankment, before climbing the steps to Waterloo Bridge. Our vantage point from where we would watch the flypast.

As we still had time, we crossed the bridge and visited the National Theatre, checking out the view from its terraces and using the facilities. We then headed back up onto Waterloo Bridge, which was starting to fill up with people eager to see the flypast. We found a spot, almost in the centre of the bridge, and waited. I was glad that we had dressed for the weather, as the wind began to pick up and, off beyond Canary Wharf, we could see rain falling from the clouds. We all hoped that it would pass around us, which it did, fortunately. While we waited we took pleasure in waving at the tourists on the boats, passing below us, cheering when they waved back.

I had written a list of the order of the aeroplanes taking part in the flypast, which Keilyn read from as the BBMF Lancaster came into view. Then followed a Voyager and an A400m Atlas, a C-17 Globemaster III, a P-8 Poseidon with Two Typhoons, an RC-135 Rivet Joint with 2 F-35B Lightnings, the Red Arrows brought up the rear with 4 Typhoons.

The flypast took just over 5 minutes, but was really impressive to watch... and hear.

Kingsway Tram Subway

The Kingsway Tram Subway entrance.

I have walked up and down Southampton Row on numerous occasions, as it is a direct walking route from Euston, when I travel by London Overground, to the River Thames. The road and pavements are always busy as Russell Square, Queen Square, the University of London and much more are all in the area.

As you cross the busy Theobalds Road, there is a ramp, behind iron gates, that slopes down into a tunnel, in the middle of the road. This is the only surviving entrance to the Kingsway Tram Subway.

Unlike the rest of the tram network, which ceased operation in 1952, the Kingsway Tram Subway still has the street tracks, for the most part, in situ. Looking closer you can make out the underground electricity cable that powered this route.

Although Southampton Row hasn't really changed that much, over the last century, you can immediately spot a problem with the layout. The roads would have been quieter, granted, but passengers would have to cross to the centre of the road, where stairs would need to be descended to reach the station below. And those exiting the tunnel would climb a different set of stairs, only to find themselves fighting to cross the road to the safety of the pavement.