Barking and District Historical Society

Francis John Herbert Tingey  A.R.I.B.A., A.I.A.A., A.I.A.S.
14th April 1917 - 24th January 2012

Frank was born on 14th April 1917 in Bayswater, the only child of Francis Hall Tingey (18th September 1890-13th March 1957), a tobacco presser and cutter, and May Edith Humphreys (1894- 14th November 1983) who had married at Christ Church, South Hackney on 2nd April 1916. Frank's father was one of 11 children. His parents are buried in Rippleside Cemetery, Barking, plot R/S/C/51.  His father’s effects were valued at £3,540 for probate purposes in 1957 whilst his mother’s estate was valued at £44,460 when she died in 1983. Frank's grandfather, Thomas Henry Tingey (1855-1893) was a neck tie cutter while his great  grandfather, another Thomas Henry Tingey (20th October 1835-December 1882), was a silk weaver who became a leather dealer. His great-great grandfather, Henry Tingey was also a silk  weaver. Dexterity of hand was obviously in Frank's blood.

The family moved to Barking in 1930 where Frank's father worked in a tobacco factory in Barking Road. By 1935 they were living at 4 Ventnor Gardens, opposite Barking Park. Frank attended Park Modern School, where he took a keen interest in playing rugby.  He then studied at Barking Abbey Grammar School until he left in 1934. Frank took a keen interest in his old school, became a life member of the Old Barkabbeyans Association and always avidly read their magazine.

Frank enrolled as a student with the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1943. He qualified as an architect in 1949 when his submitted thesis earned him a distinction. Frank also practised as a surveyor and went on to design the Grange Farm complex  in Chigwell and the Kitsons Factory in the Barking Road. His practice was known as Tingey Associates. Frank was living at 4 Ventnor Gardens in the 1950s. In 1956 he had an office at 29A Longbridge Road. In the 1970s he was living at Lyndhurst Gardens.

He was a very intelligent and gifted man. Frank was passionate about art and continued drawing his beautiful Christmas cards, depicting scenes in Barking and Essex – until fairly recently. His beautiful watercolour and pen and ink sketches are  well known and will remain a testimony to his ability. Frank was also a keen cyclist and had a particular fondness of Yorkshire and the Lake District. He would often take his bicycle on the train, sometimes sleeping under hedgerows, so that he could explore  the countryside. Frank had a wonderful memory and could instantly recall the numbers of all the B Roads and the cost of rail journeys.

Frank took a keen interest in his local community and played a full part in the Barking Rotary Club and Historical Societies. Mr. and Mrs. Tingey joined the Barking and District Historical Society in 1986. Frank could be relied upon to give a constructive comment on various  matters that arose. He was a member of the Barking Arts Council and helped organise the Barking Pageant. Frank was always reliable. Until 10 years ago he was still giving tours of Eastbury House.

Frank married Joyce E.F. Pratt (1922-2001) in 1943. He met his second wife, Barbara Booth (6th November 1930-19th January 1988) who came from St. Anne's-on-Sea. They married in 1960 in Lancashire and then lived with Frank's mother May in Ventnor Gardens until 1972 when they set up their own home nearby at 1 Lyndhurst Gardens.  They were both keen gardeners and became  members the local branch of Alpine Garden Society after visiting the Chelsea Flower Show in 1961. Frank was appointed Secretary of the Essex Group in 1965 and held the post until 1987. On his retirement he was awarded the Certificate of Honour in recognition  of his dedicated service. He became a judge of this society and romantically named a variety of ornamental oregano Origanum rotundifolium 'Barbara Tingey' after his wife. Sadly, Barbara died after nearly thirty years of marriage.  Frank  then married Mrs. Iris J. Hewitt, better known as Clem, in 1990, who he had met in a Barking shop. They married in 1990 and had a house in Lyndhurst Gardens and a flat in Longbridge Road. Frank thereby gained a new extended family of step children and  step grandchildren. Frank continued to photograph places of interest and turn them into his own very distinctive pen and ink drawings which he often used for his Christmas cards.

Frank was a loving husband, a caring and considerate step father and grandfather, a loyal friend and a kind and honourable man, greatly loved by all who knew him. He sadly passed away peacefully on 24th January 2012, aged 94, at King George Hospital.  His Funeral Service took place on Monday 6th February 2012 at 12.30pm in a snow blanketed Upminster Cemetery. The dignified service was taken by Canon Dave Wade and included a tribute  to Frank prepared by Jennie, with the help of Dorothy Lockwood. Twenty two family and friends braved the inclement weather to pay their respects and celebrate Frank's rich fulfilled life. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the orange brickearth at  Corbetts Tey cemetery [Plot R 15299].

WHG 08.03.2012

Clem & Frank Tingey 1990