Richard Wakelin: Architect and surveyor
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.
Aerial photograph of St Paul's Cathedral taken during the Second World War. (Ref. No. 1908)
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.
