Frank Burns - Deceased

Photo Memories of Frank

The following email is from James to all the members of the trip

Dear all,
Earlier this evening I had a telephone call from Vivian, Frank Burns's ex wife, who informed me that Frank has very sadly passed away. I am sure there are people I am writing to who have already received the sad news, but it came as something of a shock to me. I think we will all agree that although Frank was someone who perhaps took a little bit of time to get used too, when on form was the life and soul of our Truck, and a thoroughly decent man.

I have extremely fond memories of Frank, and very often something he said or did will just pop into my head and make me smile. I am sure that others of you have memories of Frank that you would like to share, and if so I would really like to hear from you; be it quotes, anecdotes or photographs - there are many! One that springs to me now is the helpful suggestion of "can't you just shorten the elastic?" at the last camp in Nepal when he was informed that the river was too high to go bungee jumping.

I think that this would make a fitting tribute for Frank, as I'm sure we all agree that what Frank enjoyed most - and what he did best - was making people laugh (it certainly wasn't cooking or erecting a tent!) I remember well the early days, when sometimes it felt like I had just begun a long prison sentence, and Frank would say "I'm only here because I'm employed by Exodus to keep all you entertained". If that were true, then Exodus had certainly done well in taking on Frank as "Truck Jester"

He will be very sadly missed by all those who have had the good fortune to know him. My deepest sympathies go out to Vivian and his family.

James