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| Theatre of War |
Medals |
Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
| France and Flanders |
1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals |
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
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| Arrived in Theatre |
Other Medals |
SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 6 Oct 1914 at Zeebrugge |
India General Service 1908 with NW Frontier Clasp |
Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial |
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All Saints School Roll of Honour |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed |
Date and Place Enlisted |
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| Battle of Gheluvelt (First Battle of Ypres) |
4 Apr 1896 at Warwick |
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| Place of Death |
Previous Regiments or Units |
Other War Memorials |
| Zillebeke |
Pte 5674 - Royal Warwickshire as a Boy |
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Pte 8577- Royal Warwickshire |
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Original Enlistment
Frank originally enlisted as a Boy on 4 Apr 1896 at Warwick and on 5 3 1899 he became a Private with the service #5674. His period of service ended on 5 Apr 1902.
On 24 May 1902 Frank reenlisted at Warwick as Private 8577
Frank served in South Africa and India and was awarded the India General Service 1908 with NW Frontier Clasp under service # 8815 so we know he was still serving
in 1908.
Frank would have been mobilised on 5 Aug 1914 at Aldershot
Circumstances of Death
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George is listed as being killed in action on 31 Oct 1914 near Zillebeke, unfortunately the war diary entries for the period 28 Oct 1914 to 9 Nov 1914 were lost or destroyed.George was originally reported missing and indeed newspaper appeals for sightings of him were still being made in June 1915.
The following book passages covering 23rd to 31st October 1914 are taken from The Story of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment by Charles L. Kingsford.
Oct 23rd to 25th
"On October 22nd the Germans did not advance through Zonnebeke and the battalion was able to rest and improve its new line. On October 23 the enemy threatened to push their attack through Polygon Wood to the south of Zonnebeke and a company of Royal Warwickshire was consequently detached to assist the South Staffords. At dawn on the following day [24th] the three remaining companies were sent to recover lost trenches where the Germans had broken through our lines at Polygon Wood. The wood was very thick and it was difficult to keep direction, but after hard and close fighting the German's were driven back.
Then the three companies came under heavy machine-gun fire from a small farm house. Nevertheless the house was assaulted and captured, and after the line had been reformed they advanced another mileand recovered the lost trenches which they held till evening. Colonel Loring, who is spite of his wound, still remained with his regiment, rode that day at the head of his men, encouraging them to greater efforts by the example of his fearless bearing. Twice his charger was shot under him and at last he fell himself at the assault on the farm. He was one of three noble brothers, all alike conspicuous for character and courage, who were killed in the first year of the war. Earlier in the day 2nd Lieut Deane had been killed and the other casualties were over 100.
It was a fine achievement, which, as General Rawlinson told the regiment the next day, had saved the situation at a critical moment".
Oct 26th to 31st
"After one days rest the battalion moved out [from Zonnebeke] on October 26 under th command of Major P.J. Foster to Zandvoorde, where they were joined by the first reinforcement of 190 men. There next day [Oct 27] they held the trenches under heavy fire, being forced in the afternoon to withdraw a part of their line. At night they were relieved and bivouacked near Klein Zillebeke, remaining close to the village on the following day [28th]
On October 29, when the battle was at its height, The Royal Warwickshire was ordered to counter-attack; but was held up by machine-gun fire and forced to dig in, two companies having a narrow escape from being surrounded. All next day [30th] they held their trenches under a heavy bombardment. When on the morning of October 31 many of the trenches were blown in and many of their occupants buried, the battalion on the left under the strain gave way.
The Royal Warwickshire had in consequence to swing back their own left to a fresh line, which they were ordered to hold at all costs. A small party under Major Foster with five other officers did not receive the necessary orders, and remaining in their advanced position were finally surrounded and taken prisoners. The days fighting had been long and fluctuating and it was only at evening that the 22nd Brigade beat of the enemy and re-established the line. After this the Battalion now numbering a little over a hundred men, remained three days in brigade-reserve in the woods".
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