Although Great Britain wasn’t occupied during the Second World War, it was constantly subjected to large-scale bombing in the first years. Nevertheless, the people were united. Workers, scientists, doctors and, of course, the military did everything possible to ensure a reliable rear. Despite all the economic, social and security problems, they managed to preserve their own country. Of course, the military played one of the most important roles and there are many stories about their heroic and brave deeds. However, we know less about representatives of other professions who made a huge contribution to the victory as well. The story of Peirson Frank is one of these. Why did this man become world-famous and how did he manage to save the British capital from drowning? Learn more at london-yes.
What do we know about Peirson Frank?
Peirson Frank was born in Yorkshire on July 23, 1881. The boy spent his childhood on the family farm. That’s how he learned to create many things with his own hands. Perhaps, it influenced the choice of future profession. Later, Peirson Frank became a surveyor and engineer. He was always very meticulous while performing his duties. In 1937, he was elected to the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers. It is the oldest engineering society in the world, which has been founded in London. Thanks to his professional skills, Frank remained the chief engineer of the London County Council in the period from 1931 to 1946. In 1944, he became the president of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Working in all the above-mentioned positions, the engineer was also engaged in the development of quite unique and innovative systems. His unusual ideas and amazing inventions are widely used even today. From November 1945 to the autumn of 1946, Peirson Frank served as president of the Institution of Civil Engineers. It is one of the most famous independent associations located in London, which unites a large number of civil engineers.
The role of Peirson Frank in the history of the city
In the autumn of 1940, London was constantly subjected to large-scale air attacks by the German military. That period was the most horrible for the whole country. Incendiary bombs made fires in the city, destroyed important historical monuments and damaged water supply systems, railway tracks and other communication routes. In total, 43,000 people were killed during the London bombings.
One of the enemy’s main targets was the eastern districts of the city where most of the production objects and port docks were located. Also, there were dams and other hydraulic structures that protected the river. German troops concentrated their attacks on those objects. They dropped powerful bombs on them, causing significant destruction. The city was on the brink of disaster, as the lowlands of London were threatened with flooding. Peirson Frank developed a reliable water protection system. He identified the main risk areas and headed a secret unit to implement and maintain secondary flood defences. The engineer also managed to work out a clear plan of action for the municipal services. Thanks to the plan, any damage was repaired extremely fast. The rapid response teams repaired over a hundred breaches in the Thames wall. In October 2014, the city installed a green memorial plaque honouring the engineer. Symbolically, it is located on the Embankment wall, the spot where Peirson Frank organised the wall’s repair during the Second World War.