An unusual celebration was held at the College on Saturday 12 October 2024 as a 99-year-old man who worked in the kitchens as a 14-year-old in 1940 was made an Honorary OF.
Doug Cracknell, of Cransford, worked as a kitchen porter after leaving school, only departing after the town was bombed by a rogue Luftwaffe aircraft in late 1940.
“It was a Sunday afternoon and we ran for the shelter with knives and forks flying everywhere. I think he got lost,” said Mr Cracknell.
The college evacuated to Repton, in Derbyshire, and he was left out of a job so went to work at the nearest USAF base – which was then still under construction.
Called-up in 1944, aged 18, he entered France across the embattled Normandy beaches as an infantry soldier two weeks after D-Day and ended the Second World War in Hamburg.
After de-mob in 1948 still in Germany, he returned to Suffolk, married a local girl and raised a daughter, Jenny. He worked as a lorry driver and transport manager until he retired in his 70s and now has adult great-grandchildren.
Anticipating his upcoming centenary, he was presented with a tie honouring him as an Old Framlinghamian – normally only available for those who attended the school as a student – by Peter Howard-Dobson, past-president of the OFs.
It was the first time he had set foot on the grounds since 1941. Remembering his time working at the school vividly, Mr Cracknell said: “Different times then. It’s changed a bit I must say but we had a lot of fun and it’s brought back so many good memories. What a wonderful day and thanks very much to the College.”
He added: “It’s a shame there’s no-one left alive I can chat to about it! Hopefully I can celebrate my 100th birthday in the dining room I used to work for.”
Mr Howard-Dobson said: “What a pleasure to meet Doug and a truly extraordinary man. We hope to see more of him and hear his stories.”
Martin Myers-Allen, director of outdoor education & development projects manager of Framlingham College, said: “I’ve been a teacher, housemaster and head teacher here for more than 30 years and never experienced a man quite like Douglas. An inspiration to us all.”
Steve McDowell (G82-86) adds the following detail based on Doug’s regiment papers :
“He was in the Home Guard until he was 18 and tells stories of all the grand houses which were turned into training centres and firing ranges in East Suffolk. Within six weeks of being called up in May 1944 he went into France two weeks after D-Day and immediately got into some serious and famous fights as Light Infantry supporting armoured units as the Allies worked their way through Northern France across Holland – securing Nijmegen Bridge for the armoured columns along the way – and on into Germany.
He was wounded twice – once in France and again at Arnhem while his regiment rescued the battered Polish Para Brigade (see A Bridge Too Far). Two of his COs were killed in action and he lost half his regiment. “I never thought I’d make 21.” he said, and shrugged. He finished the war chasing down war criminals in Northern Germany. Demobbed in 1948.
He was twice given promotion in the field due to battle losses and has – get this – at the age of 99 been nominated for the Legion d’Honneur.”
The pictures show Doug being presented with his OF tie by Peter Howard-Dobson and Doug pointing to a picture of the College dining room in which he worked aged 14 – in 1940.
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