House Magazine Spring 2000

Frank Gregory 1917-1998

What is the Frank Gregory Collection? Who was Frank Gregory?

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These are the questions we began to ask ourselves when, as Museum volunteers, we were assigned the task of sorting part of this bequest.

We discovered the collection consists of about 100,000 photographs and postcards, as well as sketches, engineering drawings, books, pamphlets and artefacts amassed over a span of 60 years. Many of the photographs and postcards are a record of mills and other buildings prior to their destruction or restoration. Consequently this large pictorial collection could contain the only surviving record of many demolished rural buildings.

Books and pamphlets fill more than 50 metres of shelving and a large proportion of these relate directly to mills. These publications range from the transactions of several learned societies, in particular The International Molinological Society which contain Frank’s contributions to their seminars; books specifically about aspects of mills and milling and individual mill guides.

In addition there are other publications which reflect his interest in archaeology, industrial archaeology, timber-framed domestic buildings, countryside skills and the preservation of the rural way of life, especially here in south eastern England. Finally there are mill artefacts, ephemera and tools.

But what about Frank Gregory himself? How did he become so interested in mills so that by the end of his life he was almost legendary?

Parental influence paid a large part. At an early age Frank and his sister were regularly taken for long country walks on the Downs behind Brighton. By his early teens Frank had developed a lasting interest in buildings, especially windmills and watermills, both in their construction and operation. He became an avid photographer and made frequent sketches.

The war indirectly gave him the opportunity to further another interest - trains - while he was engaged in the organisation of troop movements. After the war he trained as a woodwork teacher, which was an ideal job for his temperament and interests. Frank was essentially a hands-on, practical man who loved to solve a mechanical or constructional problem.

He became an authority on the history, construction and operation of mills and similar buildings, especially those in Sussex. This "know-how" was gained first hand through sheer determination and perseverance, especially in gaining access to sites. Unfortunately much of this was never written down, and so is lost to future generations. How often will it be said: "If only Frank was here."

Frank was an active member of many national and local societies giving them advice freely drawn from his expertise. The restoration of many Sussex mills, especially West Blatchington, Oldland, Nutley and Polegate, benefited from his practical advice, specialised knowledge and assistance.

His continual quest for a greater insight into mills and their operation took him to many other parts of Britain, to the major open air museums of Eastern and Western Europe and North America. He found himself continually drawn to Eastern Europe where many mills were still an integral part of the rural economy. In fact he had returned from an exhausting trip to Hungary only a few months before he died.

Sadly we never met Frank but through our work we feel we are getting to know him. Many friends and acquaintances have passed on to us impressions and reminiscences of a delightful, self-effacing yet private man. We would like to thank most sincerely Joy and Chris Ford, Frank’s daughter and son-in-law, for talking so sympathetically about him. Frank was a keen supporter of the Weald & Downland Museum from its inception, and chose the Museum to benefit from his life’s work. His wonderful collection will keep his memory alive.

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