Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c1914-c1970 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
18 photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Harold Frost, psychic researcher and verger, was born in Colchester, Essex, in 1895; during the First World War, he served with the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps, before being gazetted to the 7th Suffolk Regiment and serving at the Somme, France and in Belgium; during the 1920s and 1930s, Frost became interested in psychic research and investigated and worked with various medium circles in Essex and other areas; medical clerk to the Chairman of Colchester Medical Board of the Ministry of Labour, 1939, later being transferred to Ministry of Food Headquarters Office, Colwyn Bay for licensing of firms in animal feeding stuffs; transferred to Chelmsford Essex Divisional Food Office as Salvage Officer for Essex and Hertfordshire areas, 1942, and once again to the Ministry of Supply, carrying out testing at Springfield Uranium Factory, Lancashire; moved to Dacca, East Pakistan and worked as a General Manager of Zeenat Printing Works and in public relations, 1955-1961; returned to England in 1962, joining the Sue Ryder organisation and carried out general duties and nursing; served as a verger in Banbury from the 1960s to his death in 1975.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0096 MS1013 c1914-c1970 Fonds 18 photographs Frost , Harold , 1892-1975 , psychic researcher and verger
Harold Frost, psychic researcher and verger, was born in Colchester, Essex, in 1895; during the First World War, he served with the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps, before being gazetted to the 7th Suffolk Regiment and serving at the Somme, France and in Belgium; during the 1920s and 1930s, Frost became interested in psychic research and investigated and worked with various medium circles in Essex and other areas; medical clerk to the Chairman of Colchester Medical Board of the Ministry of Labour, 1939, later being transferred to Ministry of Food Headquarters Office, Colwyn Bay for licensing of firms in animal feeding stuffs; transferred to Chelmsford Essex Divisional Food Office as Salvage Officer for Essex and Hertfordshire areas, 1942, and once again to the Ministry of Supply, carrying out testing at Springfield Uranium Factory, Lancashire; moved to Dacca, East Pakistan and worked as a General Manager of Zeenat Printing Works and in public relations, 1955-1961; returned to England in 1962, joining the Sue Ryder organisation and carried out general duties and nursing; served as a verger in Banbury from the 1960s to his death in 1975.
Given to the University of London Library by Mr R.D.Plowman, date unknown
Various photographs of Harold Frost taken throughout his life, c 1914-1970; including of Frost in military uniform during the First World War (n.d.); group photo of Boy Scout troop at the annual London Jamboree, 30 Jul 1920; Boy Scout troop taken in Wembley, Middlesex, 1924; Frost in Boy Scout leader uniform taken at Redhill, c1925; Frost sitting in conversation with Reg Lowe in France. 1920; full length photograph of Frost in doorway with medium 'Patty', c1925; head and shoulders photograph of Frost, c1935; twelve head and shoulders portraits of Frost from different angles, c1935; Frost with friends on swinging garden seat in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex (n.d.); altar of church [possibly St Nicholas] decorated for Harvest Festival, Chignall Smealey, Essex 1942; Frost's house while staying in Dacca (n.d.) (2 copies); Frost sitting with locals in Dacca (n.d.); Frost sitting in a local wagon in Dacca (n.d.); Frost's dog 'Samantha' on beach at Wittering, Sussex (n.d.); studio photograph of Frost seated with book, friend standing, c1965; full length photograph of Frost in verger robes at the altar of St Mary's Church, Banbury, c1970; colour photograph of 'Meditation Lane', Chignal Smealey, Chelmsford, Essex (n.d.).
Arranged in a broadly chronological order.
Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details.
Photographic copies may be made in arrangement with the Archivist subject to copyright clearance.
English
Nor further information required
The University of London Library Special Collections also holds 4 hard-bound scrapbooks with some handwritten notes and typescript notes of sittings with mediums of various circles eg. Mark's Tey circle in Essex, compiled by Harold Frost (Ref: MS1005).
Entry compiled by Stefan Dickers. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997. 12 August 2004 Associations Chignall Smealey Dacca East Pakistan England Essex Europe Frost , Harold , 1892-1975 , psychic researcher and verger Mysticism Organizations Spiritualism UK Western Europe Youth organizations London
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Given to the University of London Library by Mr R.D.Plowman, date unknown
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Various photographs of Harold Frost taken throughout his life, c 1914-1970; including of Frost in military uniform during the First World War (n.d.); group photo of Boy Scout troop at the annual London Jamboree, 30 Jul 1920; Boy Scout troop taken in Wembley, Middlesex, 1924; Frost in Boy Scout leader uniform taken at Redhill, c1925; Frost sitting in conversation with Reg Lowe in France. 1920; full length photograph of Frost in doorway with medium 'Patty', c1925; head and shoulders photograph of Frost, c1935; twelve head and shoulders portraits of Frost from different angles, c1935; Frost with friends on swinging garden seat in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex (n.d.); altar of church [possibly St Nicholas] decorated for Harvest Festival, Chignall Smealey, Essex 1942; Frost's house while staying in Dacca (n.d.) (2 copies); Frost sitting with locals in Dacca (n.d.); Frost sitting in a local wagon in Dacca (n.d.); Frost's dog 'Samantha' on beach at Wittering, Sussex (n.d.); studio photograph of Frost seated with book, friend standing, c1965; full length photograph of Frost in verger robes at the altar of St Mary's Church, Banbury, c1970; colour photograph of 'Meditation Lane', Chignal Smealey, Chelmsford, Essex (n.d.).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged in a broadly chronological order.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Please contact the University Archivist for details.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photographic copies may be made in arrangement with the Archivist subject to copyright clearance.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The University of London Library Special Collections also holds 4 hard-bound scrapbooks with some handwritten notes and typescript notes of sittings with mediums of various circles eg. Mark's Tey circle in Essex, compiled by Harold Frost (Ref: MS1005).
Finding aids
Nor further information required
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English