Frank Noel Towndrow (25 December 1911 – 7 April 2007) was a Church of England priest who was Archdeacon of Oakham from 1967 to 1977.

Early life

Towndrow was born on Christmas Day 1911. He was educated at St Olave's Grammar School, then an all-boys grammar school in Orpington, Kent. He went on to study at King's College, Cambridge.

Frank Towndrow

Ecclesiastical career

Towndrow was ordained after a period of study at The College of the Resurrection, Mirfield in 1937 and began his career with a curacy in Chingford.

Frank Towndrow

He saw active service during World War II. On 19 February 1940, he was commissioned into the Chaplains Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). He was granted the relative rank of squadron leader. He relinquished his commission on 25 December 1956.

Frank Towndrow

When peace returned he held incumbencies at Grangemouth, Kirton Lindsey, Greenford Magna and Ravensthorpe.

During his years as an Archdeacon he was also a Canon Residentiary of Peterborough Cathedral and an Honorary Chaplain to the Queen

Death and memorial

He died on 7 April 2007. There is a ledger slab in his memory at Peterborough Cathedral.

Notes

1911 births

People educated at St Olave's Grammar School

Alumni of King's College, Cambridge

Alumni of the College of the Resurrection

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II

Archdeacons of Oakham

Honorary Chaplains to the King

2007 deaths

World War II chaplains

Royal Air Force chaplains

Royal Air Force squadron leaders