Tom Wakefield was a British novelist, short story writer, and teacher, born 13th December 1935 to a mining family in Cannock, West Midlands. His works include the collection of short stories entitled Drifters, a childhood autobiography of his early years, Forties' Child, and several novels including Mates, The Discus Throwers, The Scarlet Boy (finished by Patrick Gale), Lot’s Wife, and The Variety Artistes.
According to The Herald, Wakefield originally wanted to be an actor but was persuaded to train as a teacher instead. In an article from 6th April 1996, The Herald explained: “He never lost a certain theatrical style of behaviour, and his dramatic talents served him well both in the classroom and when giving readings of his work.”
In a video for London Museum, uncovering hidden LGBTQIA+ history, researcher, historian and author, Sacha Coward explains: "He brought a number of his experiences being a gay man growing up in a very repressive society into the books he wrote."
These works included Mates which was first published by Gay Men’s Press in 1983. The novel tells the story of Len, a clerk, and Cyril, a primary school teacher, who meet in the army during National Service in the 1950s and become lovers, remaining so over the next almost three decades; their life showcased in vignettes.
Wakefield also wrote non-fiction works reflecting his teaching experiences at Hackney schools for students with additional educational needs. These themes were also depicted in his science fiction dystopian novel, Love Siege, set in a near-future London where all disabled children are condemned to eradication until the staff at the school rise up to protect their students.
In 1977, he published the first of trilogy of novels about a girl from the Midlands who dreams of a career on the stage, the first in the trilogy was titled Trixie Trash, Star Ascending. 1990’s novel Lot’s Wife explores love in an old people’s home, while 1993’s War Paint told the story of a group of women from a mining community during wartime who have their dreary lives transformed by the arrival of a glamorous schoolmistress.
The Herald described Wakefield's work as “A string of beautifully crafted novels about ordinary people coping with life in unexpected ways…. Tom firmly believed there was good in people, that everyone was unique, and that authority was there to be defied.”
His most successful book, Forties Child won Tom Wakefield a two-year period as Arts Council writer in residence at Lancaster University, and in 1983 he won an Oppenheim Award for Literature.
Tom Wakefield lived most of his career in London, in an Aresenal home that shared with a Church Army Captain, and their tabby cat, Beryl, both of whom featured in his writings.
Tom died on 26th March 1996, aged just 60. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery where his headstone describes him as a ‘writer, educator and mother’. Sacha Coward reveals that Tom “was seen as a mother to the community,” and his home became a safe space for gay and bisexual men who were disowned by their own families during the 70s and 80s.
Sacha adds: "I think Tom, as well as being an incredibly influential author, stands in for the importance of found family. Sometimes the family that’s most important to you, that supports you, is not the one you’re born into, it’s the one you create during your life; something particularly important for queer people.”
Commentaires