This day saw the birth of Francis (Frank) Arthur Perkins at Clifton Villa, Park Road, Peterborough. His name resonates still throughout twenty-first-century Peterborough - remembered and recognised as the founder and driving force of the company known throughout the world today as Perkins Engines. His father and grandfather were engineers manufacturing a wide range of agricultural machinery. In 1932 the business collapsed. The rest of the story begins on 7 June 1932, you'll have to wait until then to find out more. (Warman, E., People of Peterborough, Peterborough Museum Publications, 2009)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.