Skip to main content

Tickets

Home

Main navigation

  • Worship and music
  • Visit us
  • What's on
  • Safeguarding
  • Search

Secondary navigation

  • Search
  • Visit us
    • Book tickets
    • Plan your visit
      • How to find us
      • Guided and self-guided tours
      • Accessibility at the Cathedral
      • Group visits
      • Schools visits
      • Filming and photography
      • Safety and security
    • Explore our map
    • Information for travel trade
  • What's on
  • Worship and music
    • Music
      • Upcoming performances
      • Our choirs
      • Our musicians
      • Working with schools
      • Information for visiting choirs
      • The bells
      • The organ
    • Worship with us
      • Our services
      • Attending a St Paul's service
      • Join your London community
      • Weddings, baptisms and confirmations
  • History and collections
    • Explore our stories and collections
      • Hidden histories
      • Architecture and decoration
      • Celebration and remembrance
      • Exploring faith through art
      • Library treasures
    • A timeline of the Cathedral
    • About our Collections
    • Access the Collections
    • Conservation
    • 70 years of the Friends
    • Our podcast series
  • Learning
    • Our learning library
    • Explore Christian life and faith
      • Search adult learning resources
      • Our events
      • Contemporary writers reflect
      • Faith in action
      • What we believe
    • Visit with your school
  • About us
    • Our mission and purpose
    • Who we are
    • News and updates
    • Our annual reports and accounts
    • Contact us
    • Work for us
    • Press and media
    • St Paul's Cathedral in America
  • Support us
    • Donate to us
    • Become a Friend
    • Become a Music Patron
    • Leave a legacy
    • Volunteer with us
    • Corporate support
    • Trusts and foundations
  • Your event at St Paul's
    • Event space guide
    • Explore our venues
      • Wren Suite
      • The Crypt
      • Chapter House
      • Nelson Chamber
      • North Churchyard
    • Our approved suppliers
    • Weddings, baptisms and confirmations
  • Shop
Menu Close
Filter

Suggested searches:

  • Book sightseeing tickets
  • Map of the Cathedral
  • Opening times
  • Platinum Jubilee
  • Service schedule

Secondary navigation

  • Search
  • Visit us
    • Book tickets
    • Plan your visit
      • How to find us
      • Guided and self-guided tours
      • Accessibility at the Cathedral
      • Group visits
      • Schools visits
      • Filming and photography
      • Safety and security
    • Explore our map
    • Information for travel trade
  • What's on
  • Worship and music
    • Music
      • Upcoming performances
      • Our choirs
      • Our musicians
      • Working with schools
      • Information for visiting choirs
      • The bells
      • The organ
    • Worship with us
      • Our services
      • Attending a St Paul's service
      • Join your London community
      • Weddings, baptisms and confirmations
  • History and collections
    • Explore our stories and collections
      • Hidden histories
      • Architecture and decoration
      • Celebration and remembrance
      • Exploring faith through art
      • Library treasures
    • A timeline of the Cathedral
    • About our Collections
    • Access the Collections
    • Conservation
    • 70 years of the Friends
    • Our podcast series
  • Learning
    • Our learning library
    • Explore Christian life and faith
      • Search adult learning resources
      • Our events
      • Contemporary writers reflect
      • Faith in action
      • What we believe
    • Visit with your school
  • About us
    • Our mission and purpose
    • Who we are
    • News and updates
    • Our annual reports and accounts
    • Contact us
    • Work for us
    • Press and media
    • St Paul's Cathedral in America
  • Support us
    • Donate to us
    • Become a Friend
    • Become a Music Patron
    • Leave a legacy
    • Volunteer with us
    • Corporate support
    • Trusts and foundations
  • Your event at St Paul's
    • Event space guide
    • Explore our venues
      • Wren Suite
      • The Crypt
      • Chapter House
      • Nelson Chamber
      • North Churchyard
    • Our approved suppliers
    • Weddings, baptisms and confirmations
  • Shop
Explore our site

Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Close up of embroidery on Jubilee Cope depicting St Paul's and Diocese of London churches

Platinum Jubilee celebrations

Worship with us

couple reading service schedule during consecration service

Worship with us

Ways to donate

choristers boys sharing candle light christmas

Ways to donate

Our learning library

Rowan Williams smiling as he leafs through his book at an event at St Paul's Cathedral

Our learning library

Stories from St Paul's podcast

library books dark

Stories from St Paul's podcast

Richard Wakelin: Architect and surveyor

A black and white photograph of Richard Wakelin on the roof of St Paul's
Richard Wakelin (right) on the roof of St Paul's during the Second World War. Image courtesy of Mary Tattersfield

Richard Wakelin: Architect and surveyor 

Richard Wakelin was a Sector Captain for the Watch, a Founding member of the Friends, and a member of Friends' Council for 12 years. 

 

Richard Wakelin was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1899. Trained in architecture, Wakelin came to the UK in 1928, where he took up work in the practice of William Campbell Jones, who was the Surveyor for the Worshipful Company of Skinners, at Skinners Hall on Dowgate Hill. Wakelin eventually became a senior partner for Campbell Jones, and continued working for the practice until his death in 1964.

During the war Wakelin was appointed by the Corporation of London as a surveyor of properties damaged by air raids, as well as acting as an Air Raid Warden for the City of London. He was later awarded the Defence Medal for his duties in this area.

A black and white aerial photo of the Cathedral
Aerial photograph of St Paul's Cathedral taken during the Second World War. (Ref. No. 1908)
A sketch of a member of the St Paul's Watch
Cartoon sketch of Richard Wakelin by Kenneth Hobson, 1945. Image courtesy of Mary Tattersfield

A key figure within the Watch

Wakelin was a member of the St Paul’s Watch for four and a half years, from 24th April 1940 to 4th October 1944.

Working as a volunteer for the Friday team, Wakelin racked up enough hours of Watch duty to earn four chevrons (a rare achievement amongst the Watch) to attach to his boiler-suit, as well as the St Paul’s Watch badge.

On 14th December 1943, he was appointed Sector Captain for the Friday team, meaning that he was responsible for leading and supervising the team members, and reporting to Godfrey Allen, Sector Commander.

On 5th June 1944 he was promoted further, being appointed Deputy Sector Commander. This was to provide assistance and support to Godfrey Allen, for whom the strain of working as Surveyor and Sector Commander for the Watch had become too much to bear.

Wakelin was a popular member of the Watch, and was particularly good friends with another member, artist Kenneth Hobson, who frequently sent him letters and humorous sketches of his time as a Watch member.

A valuable contributor to the Friends

After the war, Wakelin became a Founder Member of the Friends and alongside other members of the Watch, sat on the Friends Council. He held this position from 1952 until his death.

More on Friends old and new

A Friend of St Paul's Cathedral working on the roof of the building

Harry Sharr: St Paul's Works Department

A profile of Harry Sharr, a founding member of the Friends.

Find out more
A black and white photograph of Dr Potter

Dr Carlyle Thornton Potter: Canadian children's doctor

A profile of Carlyle Thornton Potter, a founding member of the Friends.

Find out more
A black and white cartoon-like drawing of Elfreda Audsley

Elfreda Audsley: Writer and artist

A profile of Elfreda Audsley, a founding member of the Friends.

Find out more
PR Chapman headshot

Peter Chapman: Former Chorister and Lay Canon

A profile of Peter Chapman, a member of the Friends. 

Find out more
Eileen Woods with HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Eileen Woods: Wandsman and Cathedral guide

A profile of Eileen Woods, Wandsman and Cathedral Guide.

Find out more

Our address

St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Churchyard
London
EC4M 8AD

View on map
How to find us

Footer Column 2

  • Visit us
    • Book sightseeing tickets
    • Explore our map
    • Plan your visit
    • Travel trade
  • What's on
    • Search our events
  • History and collections
    • Explore our stories and collections
    • Timeline of the Cathedral
    • 70 Years of the Friends
    • About our Collections
    • Access the Collections
    • Conservation
    • Our podcast series
    • Visit the catalogue

Footer Column 3

  • Worship and music
    • Worship with us
    • Music
  • Learning
    • Explore Christian life and faith
    • Our learning library
    • Visit with your school
  • About us
    • Our mission and purpose
    • Who we are
    • Annual reports and accounts
    • News and updates
    • Contact us
    • Work for us
    • Press and media
    • Statement of investment principles

Footer Column 4

  • Support us
    • Donate to us
    • Become a Friend
    • Become a Music Patron
    • Leave a legacy
    • Volunteer with us
    • Trusts and foundations
    • Corporate support
  • Your event at St Paul's
    • Wren Suite
    • Chapter House
    • Nelson Chamber
    • North Churchyard
    • The Crypt
  • Shop

Utility links

  • Terms and conditions of entry
  • Privacy policy
  • Staff and volunteers portal
  • Terms of use

Safeguarding

St Pauls Cathedral takes safeguarding very seriously. We are committed to protecting the welfare of children and of all adults who are vulnerable – whether that be our worshippers, visitors, clergy, staff or volunteers.

Find out more

rgb(143,63,109)

Copyright St Paul’s Cathedral 2022