Retired Lanarkshire police inspector Frank Anderson dies, 93

Frank died on September 30, after spending his final weeks in hospital. He had remained in good health until early summer, when he was admitted to Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.

In July, he was transferred to Kilsyth Victoria Cottage Hospital, where he remained until his death.

Inspector Frank Anderson (Image: RPOAS Lanarkshire)

Born in Blantyre in 1933, Frank began National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1952. He served for two years and reached the rank of Lance Corporal.

After completing his service, he joined Lanarkshire Constabulary in September 1954, and was posted to Lanark.

Frank married Helen Russell in East Kilbride in 1959. They had two children, Jim and Jan.

During his career, he served in the Traffic Department and latterly at Caldercruix and Bargeddie. He became Section Sergeant at Caldercruix in 1966.

In 1976, he was promoted to Inspector at Hamilton. He returned to Blantyre in May 1978, taking charge there. He stayed until retiring from the police service in November 1984, after more than 30 years of service.

After retiring from Strathclyde Police, Frank worked for Television Licensing and later at Coatbridge Health Centre.

Frank and Helen, who died in August 2016, were travellers. They visited Canada while their son Jim lived there, and travelled to Austria to visit Jan, where she still resides. 

Frank remained active. He attended Rawyards Gym twice a week until November last year, when he stopped driving. He was a member of Airdrie Probus Club until earlier this year.

Despite his advancing years, Frank continued to enjoy working in his garden and embraced modern technology, regularly using his iPad and laptop to keep in touch with family and friends.