The Queen's College Record 2020

The dedication he showed to his wife and two daughters was extraordinary, returning
from Brussels to England, where they had settled, every single weekend for almost
20 years. He took an active interest in his daughters’ education and careers –
supporting them until his very last days – and in his two grandsons’ wellbeing. Indeed,
in retirement, albeit not in great health, Albert committed his time to his family and
to reading, always wanting to increase his knowledge. He was a voracious reader
on a vast array of subjects from law to Roman history, medieval English history and
philosophy, from Trollope novels to Montaigne and other French literature. His love of
history, politics, languages and the importance of the English language and its correct
usage were always at the forefront of his thoughts. His jokes, made with a twinkle in
his eye, often involved a clever pun on the English language and revealed the delightfully
fun side of his character. He was a very wise person who only ever offered a considered
opinion and if he didn’t know the answer, he would always have a book that would be
able to help! His ability to see ‘the bigger picture’ led him to be a quiet campaigner for
the ‘Remainers’ during the Brexit period, writing to politicians and national and local
newspapers in recent years to try to persuade them of the folly of leaving the EU.
Obituaries
His natural curiosity and his optimism for future generations was manifested in his
interest in scientific discoveries in the field of medicine and in his last weeks, he
recounted how he was so very pleased and proud that it was Oxford University that
was leading pioneering work on a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Hope was so
important to Albert and right up to the end he always saw brighter times ahead.
Our father’s vast knowledge, his wisdom and his quiet yet clever sense of humour
will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his two daughters and two
grandsons.
Lara Cox and Tanya Cox
BILL FRANKLAND
Alfred William Frankland, always known as Bill, died on
2 April 2020. Recognised throughout the world as the
‘Grandfather of allergy’, he matriculated at Queen’s in
October 1930, and maintained an association with his
‘beloved Queen’s’ for almost 90 years. On his death he
was the University’s oldest alumnus.
Born in March 1912 in Sussex, the smaller of twin
boys, weighing just 3lb 1oz; his chances of survival
were slight. But such predictions were very wrong.
Aged two, his family moved to Dacre in Cumberland, when his father was appointed
Vicar. During childhood Bill was strongly influenced by two Oxford alumni: his father,
Henry Frankland (Wadham, 1897), who taught of the importance of Christian living,
College Record 2020 | The Queen’s College 121