Military History

Frank is listed in his Royal Marine service records and CWGC record as being killed in action on 3rd September 1918 and notes that he was originally buried at Hordain Civil Cemetery. It should be noted that his original Grave Concentration records his death as being on 9th September 1918. It should also be noted that the 1st Battalion war diary for the period 2nd to 4th June (transcribed below) places them in Queant some 30km's from Hordain but more confusingly the War Diary places them some 50kms further away at La Herliere on the 9th.

Queant - 2/9/18: Battalion moved to assembly position in U.10.a with the 2^nd Bn R. Irish Reg on left and Anson in Support. At Zero (5am) plus 2hrs. 45 mins. Advance was made in artillery formation through Riencourt passing through 57^th Division and attacking 2^nd objective – a line running from V.25.c.0.1 to V.19.d.3.7. Fighting continued throughout the day until final objective was taken and the Battalion held a line before Queant running from Y.26.d.7.9 to Y.27.d.5.0.

Casualties: Killed 1 officer & 15 OR’s, Wounded 1 Officer & 61 OR’s (estimated)

Queant - 3/9/18: At about 9.30am Battalion received instructions to proceed to an assembly position in V.28.a&b with orders to stand Coys to move out at short notice.

At 7pm instructions received to proceed to Buissy Switch and Hindenburg Support [trenches] line from junction of Switch & Support line to D.6.c.8.7 and Battalion was placed at the disposal of G.O.C 189^th Infantry Brigade.

Killed 13 OR’s & Wounded 14 OR’s.

Buissy Switch – 4/9/18: At 1am one Coy, D, was noticed to assist in an attack on the Bridgehead in E.8.b&d & at 5am another Coy, C, was ordered to assist the Hood Battalion on an attack on another Bridgehead in E.2.central. Little headway could be made and our troops were forced to withdraw to their original line having suffered heavy casualties. Killed 7 & Wounded 6.

Bn relieved by 190^th Brigade & whole Battalion withdrew to original line.