Military History

Frank is listed as being killed in action on the 17th April 1917. Most of Frank's War Grave and Army Records state that his was a member of 2nd/5th Battalion but his Medal Roll states that he was a member of 1st/5th Battalion. We have transcribed the 1st/5th & 2nd/5th war diary entries for the 16th to the 18th April below and leave you to decide which record is correct. It should be noted that Frank is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in the Somme Region. Both Epehy and Quivieres are in Somme region near with Quivieres being a little further south near St. Quentin.

1st/5th Battalion
Epehy - 16 Apr 1917: The Battalion attacked enemy Outpost Line as in OO [Operational Order] 97.

The night was extremely dark and with continuous rain and snow. Operations were very much hampered. Catalet Copse was found to be strongly wired and fortified and then attack was held up owing to difficulty in getting in & turning out the enemy. 

At dawn on 17th we had dug a line from about X.29.a.7.3 and joined with 6th Battalion at X.22.c.5.3. When light came Catalet Copse & Little Priel Farm were found to be evacuated by enemy & the line F.4.d.9.9 Little Priel Farm to Catalet Copse X.28.a.9.9 was taken up and held. 

Casualties: Killed 18 OR's.  Wounded Lt's. J.H. Heys & G.W. Williams & 40 OR's.

Epehy - 17 Apr 1917: Battalion relieved by 7th R War R and disposed as Battn less C & D Coys Villers Faucon, A & B Coys in cellars in Epehy.

Reinforcements 2/Lt Hale & 14 OR's

Villers Faucon – 18 Apr 1917: Major P.H. Whitehouse 1/8^th R War R temp attached as 2^nd in Command. Major A.A. Alabaster to Senior Infantry Officers course – England

2nd/5th Battalion
Quivieres - 15 Apr 1917: Working parties. Inspection of Companies

Quivieres - 16 Apr 1917: Working parties. Inspection of Companies

Quivieres - 17 Apr 1917: Working parties. Inspection of Companies

Quivieres - 18 Apr 1917: Working parties. Inspection of Companies