Nicholas Francis Palfrey Chekanoff (1916-2007)
His parents Nicholas and Gwendoline Palfrey married in 1916 in Kings Norton Area and divorced 12 years later. His father was Inspector of Munitions at the Russian Embassy in London.
He was brought up in a flat above Grantham’s Theatre Royal, George Street, where his mother was manager.
Nicholas joined the Royal artillery in 1935 (851658 W/Bdr NFP Checkanoff, 17 Med Regiment RA). He was wounded in Italy in May 1944 and demobbed in 1948.
He married Patricia Brewin from Sleaford area in 1949, and the couple lived firstly at Gorse Rise and later at Belton Avenue.
He became art master at the Boys Central School, Sandon Road, where he was known (not to his face) as ‘Chick’ and ran a very strict regime.
Many lads at school were targets of his temper and various articles near to his hands at the time – including wood-backed blackboard rubbers.
He was a very smart man, impeccably dressed for a school teacher lining up the First Former’s in what was called “Chick’s Army”. He did a morning inspection ready for Assembly!
He left the Central School in 1963 and went to Northamptonshire.
He had very bad hearing, no doubt due to war service.
He retired to the Sleaford area on retirement, living at Rauceby.
Compiled with the assistance of Peter Reichelt
Mr Chekanoff also lived in Belton Avenue
Further to my first reply, between 1953 and 1956 there were four Central School masters living in Belton Avenue.
Mr Chekanoff (No.28), Mr Vincent (No.. 101), Mr Armer (No. 10) and also for that number there was a Geoffrey Waine at that address also.
I thought it was Mr. Sewell who lived in Gorse Rise.
Nicholas lived at 25 Gorse Rise in April 1949 possibly in digs before he was married. Ben Sewell lived at 26 Gorse Rise all the time I knew him. Knowing Ben he might have arranged the digs for him! You are correct Nicholas lived at No 28 Belton Avenue in the 1950’s +.I think his wife was a schoolteacher as well but cannot confirm that .” Inky “Armer was still at No 10 in the 1960’s.
According to the 1967-1968 Borough of Grantham Street Director ”Inky” was still living at No. 10 Belton Avenue.
Who will admit recalling Geoff Wayne’s nickname?