Yours faithfully, Frank Simpson

Launceston clock and watchmaker Frank Simpson's signature in 1942.In June 1942, the City of Launceston advertised for Post Office Clock maintenance tenders, but there were no contenders. Frank Simpson, a local clock and watchmaker, had recently resigned from his timekeeping position after faithfully tending to the clock since its installation in 1909.

Frank wrote to the Council in early June 1942 asking for a pay rise of £15 per annum, the first since 1928. For Frank, the job involved five weekly three-quarters-of-an-hour visits to wind and check the clock, lifting clock weights that weighed one ton. In addition to these visits, other aspects of the clock’s mechanism required regular attention.

The Examiner newspaper detailed Frank’s job –
Every day for six days a week since October 1909, Mr Simpson has climbed and descended more than 100 steps in the clock tower to wind the clock and chimes – two separate operations – and periodically give whatever mechanical attention is required, including adjustment and oiling. There are 103 steps to the clockworks, 13 more to the dial room and a further flight to the bell tower. Mr Simpson’s job is no sinecure. First, it is a big tie. Neither indisposition nor personal convenience can be allowed to interfere with his visit to the clock. It is possible for him to take a holiday away from Launceston by engaging someone to do the actual winding, but when so absent there is always at the back of his mind the possibility of something going wrong.

Frank’s correspondence stated a rise in the cost of living and materials and the difficulty of leaving the city for a holiday as reasons for requesting a pay increase. Despite working as the clock’s timekeeper without a pay rise over the past sixteen years, the Council declined his request.

On 15 June 1942, Frank penned a reply letter.
As the Council cannot see its way clear to grant me an increase, I cannot see my way clear to carry on at £52.00 per year, so I give you one month’s notice from the above date.

 The Council placed the following advertisement in the newspaper about ten days later. No tenders were received.

Advertisement for tenders for the Launceston Post Office clock in The Examiner Newspaper, June 1942.

Snippets in the press, such as The Examiner newspaper column, Sparks from the News Anvil by Smith on 9 July 1942, piqued community interest.

Talking about time reminds me that Mr Frank Simpson wants to give up his job of looking after the Launceston Post Office clock and chimes. I did not see the notice calling tenders, but here goes if it isn’t too late.

 This up-to-the-minute morsel is called,

 “Let Me Be Frank!”

 If I might be allowed to climb that tower,

To oil the works and ginger up the chimes,

I’d take control of wonder-working power

And give new meaning to these modern times.

 Like Sairey Gamp I’d have “one” at eleven,

I’d strike whenever work was overdone,

Late sleepers would consign my chimes to – heaven,

And then, for lunch, I’d have “eleven” at one.

Poet’s licence.

With no other applicants for the job, the Council had no choice but to negotiate with Frank Simpson. The outcome was not the original request of an extra £15 a year, but a little more – an £18 per annum increase was authorized. Frank continued to maintain and care for the clock for another five and a half years. He finally retired in December 1947, aged about 78.

© Sallie Mulligan, January 2025.

See Frank’s profile on Hands of Time at –  SIMPSON Francis (Frank)