Frank George Marling (1863-1954): Biographical Entry

492 MARLING, Frank George, ‘Reminiscences’, TS, pp.22 (c.16,000 words). BruneI University Library.

Born 7 Jan 1863 at Berkeley, Gloucester. Died 1954. Father a clerk to the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal Co., sub-postmaster, pilotage agent. 2 brothers (one of whom died in infancy), 3 sisters. Educated at private day schools (1870-7) and the infant class at Union Chapel. Married, 1893, with 4 children. Lived in Berkeley (to 1875); Sharpness (1875-1929); Wootton-under-Edge (1929-33); Gloucester (1933-9); Harrow (1939-54).

Employed in various jobs after leaving school, aged 14, including assisting father in post office and delivering telegrams. Later, assistant clerk in dock office (1883-92); clerk and agent to Gloucester Pilotage Board (1892-7); pilot master (1897-1929); agent to Capital and Counties Bank Ltd. (1898-1929).

Teetotaller; Sunday School worker for more than 50 years; superintendent of Sunday School (1890-1929); founder of Sharpness Union Church.

Much of the narrative is devoted to the author’s childhood, with good and full descriptions of schools and schooling, childhood games and with profiles of various characters. Only very brief references are made to his later life and employments. Written mostly c.1929 and 1933, though with a short passage at the end, written c.1952.

 

Bibliography

‘Frank George Marling’ in Burnett, John., Vincent, David., and Mayall, David.  (eds). The Autobiography of the Working Class: An Annotated, Critical Bibliography 1790-1945. 3 vols. (Brighton: Harvester, 1984, 1987, 1989).

Marling, Frank George. ‘Reminiscences’. Burnett Archive of Working Class Autobiographies. Brunel University Library. Special Collection, 1:492.