Wilf Farndale

An aircraft engineer in Bristol, Wilf emigrated to New Zealand

I am very grateful to Allan Farndale and Jarrod Harris for their help in telling the story of Wilf Farndale.

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Stockton

Wilfred Farndale, the son of Tom and Dora (nee Perkins) Farndale, was born into the Stockton 3 Line in Stockton in 1911. When he was born the family lived at 15 Donald Street, Stockton.

Wilf and his brothers and father dated to the 1930s in Stockton-On-Tees. Wilf is second from the left.

Filton, near Bristol

Wilfred Farndale moved from Stockton in about 1936 or 1937, to Bristol where he met Doris Evelyn Howard (1919 to 1992), who was in domestic service. They were married in 1939. Doris was one of a family of eight children. Doris Howard was an orphan whose mother died when Doris was 2 years old, and they had lived in an orphanage in Hessle, Hull.

Between 1937 to 1947 the family lived near the aircraft factory at Filton, Gloucestershire, which was a 30 minute walk for Wilf. During the years 1942 to 1944 the family lived by the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare because of the air raids during the war.

Wilf commuted by train during the days and manned the anti aircraft batteries at night. The family returned to Filton in 1945.

Wilfred John Howard (“Howard”) Farndale was born on 25 April 1940, at Filton. To Mr and Mrs W Farndale (nee Doris Howard), “Glenholme”, Conygre-road, Fulton, Bristol, on April 25, a son. Keith Allan (“Allan”) Farndale was born in 1942 at Weston Super Mare. Neil Hamilton Farndale was born in 1947, at Filton. Nigel John Farndale was born in 1950, at Filton. Melanie Frances Farndale was born in March 1952, at Filton.

Wilf was a football referee in the Bristol area. In May 1949 Fixtures for the last day of the amateur Soccer Season. Suburban League. Division III – Bedminster Down v Kingswood YMCA, W Farndale. In January 1951 GHFA Cup Ties. Next Saturday’s matches and referee in the second round of the Gloucestershire FA Senior Amateur Cup competition: National Smelting Co v Oakdene Rangers, W Farndale. In February 1951 Div 3 P O Phones v Pilning Ath., W Farndale. In August 1951 Bristol and Suburban League Matches for Saturday: Div 3 – Bristol City Utd v Winterbourne Down, W Farndale. In August 1951 the other games to be played in the league on Saturday (also referees) are given below; kick off 3pm. Division III – Bristol City Utd v Winterbourne Down, W Farndale. In November 1951 Bristol and Suburban Football League matches and referees for tomorrow: Division I, Soundwell v Bishop Sutton, W Farndale.

Wilf was an aero tool maker by trade and he worked at the Bristol Aircraft Company at Filton making aircraft jigs, the bed or framework that the aircraft were built on. He was involved with the Brabazon, Britannia and early stage of Concorde designs.

Bristol Brabazon Concorde, originated from the Bristol 223 project study The Bristol Britannia

The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was one of the first British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aircraft engines. Notable aircraft produced by the company include the Boxkite, the Bristol Fighter, the Bulldog, the Blenheim, the Beaufighter, and the Britannia, and much of the preliminary work which led to Concorde was carried out by the company. In 1956 its major operations were split into Bristol Aircraft and Bristol Aero Engines. In 1959, Bristol Aircraft merged with several major British aircraft companies to form the British Aircraft Corporation (“BAC”) and Bristol Aero Engines merged with Armstrong Siddeley to form Bristol Siddeley.

Bristol Aeroplane Company was involved in the post war renaissance of British civilian aircraft, which was largely inspired by the Brabazon Committee report of 1943 to 1945. In 1949, the Brabazon airliner prototype, at the time one of the largest aircraft in the world, first flew. The Bristol Type 167 Brabazon was a large British piston engine, propeller driven airliner designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company to fly transatlantic routes between the UK and the United States. The aircraft was named Brabazon after the Brabazon Committee and its chairman, Lord Brabazon of Tara, who had developed the specification to which the airliner was designed. This project was deemed to be a step in the wrong direction, gaining little interest from military or civilian operators, resulting in the Brabazon being ultimately cancelled in 1953.

At the same time as the termination, Bristol decided to focus on development of a large turboprop-powered airliner, known as the Britannia. Capable of traversing transatlantic routes, it proved a commercial success. Both it and the Freighter were produced in quantity during the 1950s. However, sales of the Britannia were poor and only 82 were built, primarily due to its protracted development. It had been ordered by BOAC on 28 July 1949 and first flown on 16 August 1952, but it did not enter service until 1 February 1957.

Bristol Aeroplane Company was also involved in helicopter development, with the Belvedere and Sycamore going into quantity production.

BAC went on to become a founding component of the nationalised British Aerospace, now BAE Systems. Bristol Siddeley was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1966, who continued to develop and market Bristol-designed engines. The BAC works were in Filton, which is about six kilometres north of Bristol city centre. BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, MBDA and GKN still have a presence at the Filton site where the Bristol Aeroplane Company was located.

Allan Farndale remembers visiting Stockton when he was about 10 years old, so perhaps about 1952, with his elder brother Howard who was 12. It might have been when Doris Farndale, Wilf’s wife, was having Melanie. The family travelled by train, alone, Bristol to Stockton and met their grandparents. That was the only time Allan’s generation saw them.

Wilk’s football refereeing continued. In April 1952 Mr B M Griffiths of Newport, (Mon), who has controlled international matches and many Football League “Derby” games, has been appointed to referee the Gloucestershire Senior Cup final between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers at Ashton Gate on May 10, kick off 3:15 PM. The linesman will be W Farndale and R Harris. In February 1953 fixtures in Bristol’s amateur Soccer leagues tomorrow are in the District League, Division I, v Alveston Down, W Farndale. In 9 September 1953 in Saturday’s Bristol and Suburban League fixtures and referees (kick off 3pm), Division II, Mardon’s (St Anne’s) v Timsbury (W Farndale). In March 1954, Division III, St Aldhelm’s v Backwell Utd, W Farndale and there were many similar entries in 1954.

Howard Farndale is holding Melanie Farndale and clockwise from Howard are Nigel Farndale, Neil Farndale and Allan Farndale (back left)

Wilf used to take his family for walks over the golf course in Filton to view a massive aircraft hangar at BAC, where the Brabazon had been built.

In October 1958 the Bristol branch of the national referees association held a dance at the exchange, Corn Street to celebrate the golden jubilee of the association. Some of the guests pictured here include Mr Fred Ford, the Bristol Roers coach, and his wife, seated right, the vice chairman, Mr George Walker, and his wife, seated left, the secretary, Mr. Wilf Farndale, the treasurer, Mr Syd Rummins, the social secretary, Mr M Butler, and his wife, and Mr and Mrs L Jennings.

In March 1959 it was gratifying for referees to learn of one top line manager who thinks that the standard of refereeing is better this season than ever before. After the recent attacks by managers, Mr Billy Walker's statement to the newspaper Inquiry into referees made a welcome change. It is noticeable that it comes through a manager whose team always tries to play football, and not to hack the opposition to pieces. In the few top matches I have seen this season, I could not find a lot to fault the officials in charge. Minor mistakes, yes, but nothing which altered the result of the game in any way. That is, I think, the main thing to consider when a referee makes a mistake and, being human, we will make them. In the quiz match with the West Wilts BA, Bristol were well beaten. The score now stands at two wins each, the away team being the victors every time so far. Leading scorers for West Wilts were J Milliard, K Hannah, and B Wickham, the latter two being Football League linesman, and B Cook, K Ball, the referees coach, and M Butler, scored well for Bristol. Arrangements for the annual dinner at the Cooperative restaurant, Castle Street, Friday March 20, are almost complete. Tickets 12s 6d, can be obtained from: W Farndale, 45 Conygre Road, Filton, S Robbins, 22 Berkeley Street, Eastville, or M Butler, 47 Rock Hill, Welsway, Keynsham.

In April 1959 from South Gloucestershire football referees are to play their challenge match for the A H Boxhall Cup on Saturday. May 9 at Hoffman’s Sports Ground, Stonehouse, kick off 2:45 PM. Members of the Bristol branch who wish to play should forward their names and positions to secretary, Mr W Farndale, 45 Conygre Road, Filton, Bristol members and friends wishing to travel should also send in names as transport will be booked. Billiards, table tennis, darts and skittle competitions will follow the cup game. In September 1959 the Referees Association (Bristol branch) will again be holding a coaching course for those intending to become referees . Early application should be made to the hon secretary, W Farndale, 45 Conygre Road, Filton. In February 1960 the aims and objects of the Referees’ Association are to raise the status of its members and of all that is desirable in the game itself. The first essential is surely service, the endeavour to be of help one to another, and at the same time to improve our standing as referees and the work we are required to do. The association was established not to secure the admission of any individual to the select circles of important league lists of referees or linesmen, but to watch over the interests of all referees. In like manner, local societies provide opportunities for referees to discuss the intricacies of the laws, exchange views on difficulties, and generally to make for unanimity of decisions thereby increasing their efficiency. The educational work is of lasting benefit to the referee. All who avail themselves of the facilities will be qualified to equip themselves with credit when the opportunity comes. This has been proved over and over again; Senior referees will readily express their appreciation of the assistance received in their early days from the local referees society. Anyone wishing to attend the next course for intending referees should inform Mr Farndale, 45 Conygre Road, Filton.

Gisbourne, New Zealand

In 1964, Wilfred and Doris emigrated to New Zealand, to follow their eldest son, Howard. Wilf built bridges in the Gisborne area.

Eastern Union Association football team reached a notable goal when they won the coveted Central Districts League trophy this season. At the club's annual cabaret the trophy was presented to Eastern Union captain Bob Elliott by Doug Remeril of Hastings (chairman C.D.L.). Wilf Farndale (chairman P.B.F.A.), and Ian Whitley (chairman of Eastern Union), look on.

Myra Huriwai, Doris Farndale, Florence Hollman, Reremoana Karaka, Mihi Tibble and Lottie Carlson operate on a run of canned smoked fish Joyce Turnbull, Elsie Stevens, Doris Farndale and Kirsty Fletcher

P.B.F.A. chairman Wilf Farndale and his wife Doris, 1968

Officials with the club's trophy winners, November 1973. From left, patron Jack Crawford, Player of the Year Archie Gillies, with the Bert Ormond Cup, skipper Ronnie Lightfoot with the Eastern League Cup, P.B.F.A. chairman Wilf Farndale, Thistle chairman Sandy Johnstone, club coach Iain Gillies with a clock presented by the players, president Dave McFarlane, Best Sportsman Paul Potter, Robert Cudd, winner of the Lion Trophy (as leading goalscorer in the Eastern League), and Freddie Robertson, who received the club's trophy as the Most Improved Player of the season.

Wilf Farndale, Ray Gorringe and Nigel Farndale. 1974 Wilf Farndale, Nigel Farndale, Dave Nelson and Gary Fowler, 1975

Nigel John Farndale died at Gisborne, New Zealand on 12 April 1977.

In May 1984 Bristol soccer exiles Kevin Meacock and Paul McLoughlin are enjoying a “fruitful” start to their new careers in New Zealand. No one has been more chuffed by Kevin and Paul’s success than former Western League referee Wilf Farndale, who has lived in Gisborne for the past 20 years. Wilf, who was secretary of the Bristol branch of the Referees’ Association for many years, wrote to tell me how well the two lads were playing. “Everyone in Gisborne has been impressed by Paul and Kevin on and off the field,” he said. “They are first class ambassadors for the English game.”

Wilfred died in Gisborne, New Zealand on 13 November 1985. He was buried at Taruheru Cemetery, in Gisborne, Plot 292. In loving memory of Nigel John Farndale, died 9 April 1977, aged 26 years, also his dad, Wilfred, died 13 November 1985.

Doris died in Gisborne in March 1992. FARNDALE, nee Howard. Deepest Sympathy Dad and Auntie Binny on the loss of your sister and our Auntie Doris, our love and thoughts are with you – Margaret, Kathryn and Elizabeth.

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The webpage of Wilf Farndale includes a chronology and research notes.