April 2023
Tributes have been paid to one of the village’s most venerable residents, who has died at the age of 93. Frank Willcocks had lived in Piccotts End with his wife Pauline since 2006. They moved to The Granary from Adeyfield to take up residence at Number 1.

Frank grew up in Balham, south London. After National Service in Egypt he returned home and took an engineering job with De Havilland at Leavesden.

Whilst Frank was busy at Leavesden, Pauline was working in Mill Hill for John Laing, the building and property company.

Pauline and Frank’s life together started at a social club in Barnet, concluding just short of 40 years later.

Frank is survived by Pauline as well as his 3 daughters and a stepdaughter, his only son having been tragically killed in an aerobatic accident some years previously.

One of his neighbours, Mark Chapman, said: ‘In Frank, I’ve lost a mate who I could chat to at The Granary ‘bin shed’ and catch up with all of the gossip.

‘He was as content a man as you could wish to meet. His pride and joy was his gleaming Mercedes.

‘He was an immensely proud Grandfather on 10 occasions and able to celebrate the next generation as a Great Grandfather 15 times. We will all miss him.’

Paying her own tribute, Pauline thanked the NHS at Watford General for the marvellous care Frank received there in his final days, adding ‘Frank was a very quiet, contented man with a wicked sense of humour.’  

Frank’s funeral will take place at 11.20 am Tuesday 2^nd May at West Herts Crem and afterwards at High Elms Manor, High End Lane, Watford.  If anyone wishes to join the family at High Elms Manor please notify Pauline so that she has some idea of numbers and of any allergies.