Distinguished Old Framlinghamians

Framlingham is rooted in the county of Suffolk, but Framlinghamians have spanned the world from the age of Empire, through times of conflict and into the modern era, in pursuit of trade and adventure. There are those who have made their mark in business, sports, academics, as artists and writers, in agriculture, in the services, the media and in the world of entertainment. You can learn about them here, and you can nominate additions.

Professional

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Mr Bernard Ralph Wilson (1919-1921)

Editor and Chairman of East Anglian Daily Times and President of Suffolk County Amateur Athletic Association. Died in 1985.

Lt Commander Basil Franklin Dyson CBE (Stradbroke 1919-1920)

Was assistant Naval Attache in the British Embassy in Rome, before becoming an oil company executive. He was awarded CBE in 1962... Read more

Was assistant Naval Attache in the British Embassy in Rome, before becoming an oil company executive. He was awarded CBE in 1962 and died in 1992.

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Mr Geoffrey William Presten MBE (1917-1920)

Chartered electrical engineer; general manager, Copper Development Association. Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. No details on MBE.

Mr Richard Edmund Gray

Mr Richard Edmund Gray (1911-1919)

He has his place in the history of aviation for his pioneering work in the development of modern air traffic control, during... Read more

He has his place in the history of aviation for his pioneering work in the development of modern air traffic control, during WW2. He was also involved in the establishment of the first transatlantic radio telephone system. After the war he spent the rest of his working life in America, researching the propagation of electromagnetic waves. He retired to Thorpeness in Suffolk. He never married and died in 1999.

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Mr Francis Otto Ziegele (Kerrison 1910-1917)

He served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1. In 1920 he went to Singapore and became an East India merchant’s manager.... Read more

He served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during WW1. In 1920 he went to Singapore and became an East India merchant’s manager. During WW2 the Japanese interned him for 3.5 years. Despite living in Singapore, he gave in excess of £60,000 to the College, which was used to build the new Kerrison boarding house and his name lives on in Ziegele House and the Ziegele Centre.

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Major John Gilby Bullen OBE JP (Garrett 1903-1913)

He was probably one of the College’s most brilliant scholars. He went to Oxford both before and after WW1. Then went to... Read more

He was probably one of the College’s most brilliant scholars. He went to Oxford both before and after WW1. Then went to Lachaber in Scotland where he set up a small aluminium company and for which he was awarded the OBE in 1953. Died in 1987 at the age of 102.

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Mr Joseph Gardner Drew OBE (1904-1911)

Qualified as a solicitor and became Town Clerk of Brighton. Was a member of many civic boards and committees. He was awarded... Read more

Qualified as a solicitor and became Town Clerk of Brighton. Was a member of many civic boards and committees. He was awarded the OBE in 1943.

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Mr Frank Bernard Speakman MBE (1905-1907)

He was a farmer all his life, was founder member of the Malden Branch of the National Farmers Union, a Vice Chairman... Read more

He was a farmer all his life, was founder member of the Malden Branch of the National Farmers Union, a Vice Chairman of the Essex Farmers Union, local Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and a former Chelmsford Rural District councillor for 14 years. He was awarded an MBE for services to farming in 1973. He died in February 1975.

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Mr Eric Cecil Gordon England (1904-1906)

Pioneering aviator who in 1909 he set a record by remaining in the air for 58 seconds. After the war his interest... Read more

Pioneering aviator who in 1909 he set a record by remaining in the air for 58 seconds. After the war his interest turned to motor racing and he made and sold a series of cars based on the Austin 7. He co-piloted one of his own cars in the 1925 24 Hours of Le Mans, but failed to finish. In 1945 he unsuccessfully contested the Bury St Edmonds seat in the General Election.

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Mr Ernest Edmund Fresson OBE

Mr Ernest Edmund Fresson OBE (Rendlesham 1901-1905)

Pioneering aviator, who’s airline was given the first UK domestic Airmail contract by the Post Office. His runways at Stornoway are acknowledged... Read more

Pioneering aviator, who’s airline was given the first UK domestic Airmail contract by the Post Office. His runways at Stornoway are acknowledged as the first runways in Britain. His airline eventually became part of what is today, British Airways.

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Mr Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish KPM (1897-1904)

Was Assistant Commissioner of Police in Nigeria. Awarded King’s Police Medal in 1927. Died in 1941 in Nairobi.

Mr Herbert Gordon Lang OBE KPM

Mr Herbert Gordon Lang OBE KPM (1903-1904)

Rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in the Indian Police and in 1925 was awarded King’s Police Medal and 1931 the... Read more

Rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in the Indian Police and in 1925 was awarded King’s Police Medal and 1931 the OBE.

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Sir Frederick Albert Minter GCVO (1901-1904)

Civil Engineer born in 1887 and died in 1976. Published a book in 1925 entitled “The King’s beasts : St Georges Chapel,... Read more

Civil Engineer born in 1887 and died in 1976. Published a book in 1925 entitled “The King’s beasts : St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle”. Past President of SOF and personally donated 2 hard tennis courts, squash court and rifles to the College.

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Mr Gordon Jeune Willans MBE (1895-1904)

Talented at the College and went on to Cambridge, before returning to teach at the College from 1908 to 1912. Civil Servant.... Read more

Talented at the College and went on to Cambridge, before returning to teach at the College from 1908 to 1912. Civil Servant. Awarded MBE in 1920, but no details for what. He is also credited with writing the School Song!

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Mr Albert Crossley Dodd ISO MBE (1900-1903)

Rose to chief Executive Officer in Civil Service. Was awarded Imperial Service Order in 1947 and the MBE.

Mr Charles Whitfield King (1901-1903)

A renowned philatelist and head of Whitfield King & Co. of Ipswich. His firm’s premises were said to be the largest in... Read more

A renowned philatelist and head of Whitfield King & Co. of Ipswich. His firm’s premises were said to be the largest in the world entirely devoted to stamp dealing. Died in Ipswich on 31 May 1944 at the age of 56.

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Nominate a Framlinghamian

We have no hard and fast rules about who should be recognised as a “Distinguished Old Framlinghamian”, and are always interested to hear about people who are exceptional in all sorts of ways – so please feel free to click on the link below, and complete a nomination form.