GlescaPal frankd

Frank Dawson joined GlescaPals in April 2006 here is his introductory message : -
I was born in Glasgow in 30 July 1934.
I attended Haghill Primary School and then did 6months at the toffs school of Whitehill but asked for a transfer to Onslow Drive School which was later named Whitehill Junior Secondary.
I lived at Crinan Street, Dennistoun until I married my first wife in 1954 but later divorced and remarried in 1963 to the lady who has been my wife for the past 43 years. I was granted custody of the 2 children of the first marriage.

We have a family of 5 daughters and 2 sons and have 22 grandchildren and one great grandchild expected any day now. I am a retired Factory Manager and have lived in Essex for nearly 30 years except for a 6 years stay in Largs.
I would love to hear from any of my old friends or ex workmates. This is a wonderful site.
All the best to everyone.

Mary and me and our complete brood at Stewarton in 1969. Now all these years later we have 22 grandchildren and 1 new great grandaughter. It was hard going but we loved every minute. My wife is and was a fantastic mother and I owe it all to her.

Note the two youngest.
"Oh no not another photo"
they appear to be thinking.

Taken at Polmadie Street in1965 when times were hard

Excerpts from the GlescaPals messageboard

FrankD, 6 Nov.2009 ........ my Glasgow childhood
When I look back in time I realise how lucky I was having a wonderful childhood in Dennistoun.
I was born in Glasgow in 1934 but spent the first six years of my life in a very quiet place in Inverness-shire.
In 1940 our family moved to my mothers fathers home at Crinan Street and there I stayed until I left in 1954.
My first school was Haghill where I fell madly in love with Miss Lauder but detested the headmaster Mr Ryburn who belted me because the point of my pencil was broken.
I made lots of friends and our play nearly always took place in Alexandra Park.
Climbing trees, playing football or going into the underground air raid shelters next to the boating pond and getting chased out by the park keeper.
One of my pals Raymond Thorburn whose grandfather was blind used to take my arm as I walked with him to the blind mens place at the far end of the park.I got a kick out of helping the old man.
We humans really are silly at times I certainly was on the day I attempted to jump over railings from railings.
I was impailed and luckily Mr Sheed in the next close was a St Johns ambulanceman and he sorted the problem out.
When I was eleven years old I got a permit to deliver newspapers and I worked for Neil Thomson in Coventry drive who gave me 7/6 and a pass for the Bedford Cinema.Believe you me I certainly used that pass which gave me the love of films.
Earning 7/6 enabled me to buy a second hand bike which changed my life completely.
I did cycle a lot with my friends but I really preferred to go off on my own.
Glasgow then was completely different from today.
There were no housing estates when I was cycling it was lovely countryside and no cars.Peace perfect peace.
Going to my first football match had a bearing on my outlook on life.
I am from a Protestant family who are not chuch goers.
I went to a Rangers football match and I was disgusted at what I heard
especially as two of my best friends were Catholics.
I have no time for racists or religious bigots.
All my childhood friends are dead but I look back and remember how happy we all were even although a war was in operation.
Yes I had a happy childhood.
As I said earlier my friends are all dead but there is one person who is still alive who is a resident in Australia.
My Pal Wee Mary that nice young girl who worked with me in Shettleston all those years ago.
Like me she is a family person and I admire her outlook on life.
I send her my best wishes!

FrankD, 6 Nov.2009 ........ Wonderful Glaswegians
During my 75 years on this planet I have experienced many good deeds from citizens of Glasgow.
My first example of their kindness took place in 1959 when my first wife left me with our 2 daughters aged 4years and 3 years.
At that time I was employed as a GPO telephone operator at Pitt Street telephone exchange. My supervisisor was a lovely wee man named Hughie Jamieson who lived in Shawlands.
"Don't worry Frank" Nell(his wife) will look after the kids while you are working.
She certainly did for months!
A perfect example of Glaswegians kindness.
Some months later I met the lady who was to change my life completely.
What kind of person takes on another womans children?
Answer- A really genuine nice person who can give love to someone elses children. My two daughters love their stepmother which is wonderful.
Mary comes from a very poor Glasgow upbringing which seems to have done her good.
I could quote many examples of kindness during my lifetime but I will finish with todays examples.
These past months have been upsetting for my family worrying about my health problems but when I let them read the comments that my Pals print on Glesca Pals they are amazed.
I too am amazed at the response and definitely delighted at the kind thoughts.
During my time on the site I have tried to be fair minded in any of my posts and I hope that I never upset any of my Pals.
I do not know if I will post again but I will certainly be reading other pals posts.
Feel free to send me pm's

GlescaPal FrankD fought a brave fight and posted for over a year about waiting to die and how wonderful life had been to him, he finally slipped away and died on Monday 1st Nov.2010