The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Celebrated artist and cartoonist Frank McDiarmid
Tributes have been paid from the world of comics and in his home area of Angus to celebrated artist and cartoonist Frank McDiarmid following his death at the age of 85.
In a distinguished career he became known as the ‘Master of Cheekery’ through the antics of his most popular creations.
Born in Clydebank, Frank was brought up in Moss Park, Glasgow, and attended Allan Glen’s School.
Following two years of RAF national service, he moved to Dundee in 1955 to train as a comic artist with DC Thomson.
It was the beginning of a career which would see him become one of the profession’s most celebrated names.
His work on comics including the Beano and Dandy saw Frank draw famous characters such as Roger the Dodger, which he continued to do after going freelance more than a decade later.
Frank also applied his skills to straight art in titles such as Rover, Hotspur, Wizard and Adventure.
He was best remembered for Cheeky and drew at least two-thirds of that comic’s characters, including the title figure as well as Posh Claude, Lily Pop and Walter Wurx.
Frank admitted to being “gloriously happy” seeing his work on display in newsagents up and down the country.
He continued to receive fan mail and requests to draw Cheeky for special occasions and said he was always happy to oblige.
Frank later moved to Carnoustie with his late wife Moira, and latterly to Arbroath.
He served as chairman of Carnoustie Community Council and in Arbroath was past president of the town’s musical society and president of the art society.
Frank introduced Rotary Arbroath Day to showcase the town’s organisations and Rotarians paid tribute to him at their latest weekly online meeting.
He also served with the Arbroath Courthouse Trust to secure the building for local community ownership, a goal achieved at the end of last year.
A long-standing supporter of both Arbroath Cricket Club and Arbroath FC, he owned the Turnkey Gallery in the town for many years.
As well as teaching art, his other works, including landscapes, were appreciated by a wide audience and he had a twomonth show at Stracathro Hospital in 2019.
He is survived by his wife Helen, three children, three stepchildren, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.