South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Beaurains Road Cemetery, Arras |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 3 Oct 1915 in France | ~ | New Milverton (Leamington) St. Mark |
| Leamington Spa War Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Mobilised | Warwickshire RHA, Warwick |
| Battle of Arras | 5 Aug 1914 at Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near Tilloy | Territorial Service number 281 | |
Previous Service History
- Frank was a member of the 1st/1st Warwickshire Royal Horse artillery Territorial Force
- He originally enlisted as service number 281 just after 5 May 1915 when no 276 was issued. Source
- Frank is listed in the book Brooke's Battery (1st/1st Warwick) as being amongst those who mobilised on 5 Aug 1914 at Leamington
Circumstances of Death
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Frank [Oliver] is listed as being killed in action on 9 Apr 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The war diary for the day shows that he was one of 9 officers and men who were killed when a shell hit their position [see also Bombardier John Eaton of Weston-under-Weatherley]. The Brigade war diary for that day is transcribed below.
15th Bde HQ at H.31.c.15.10 [Tilloy-les-Mofflaines] 9.4.17: Rain falling heavily at zero hour (5.30am). Batteries shot according to programme. 460 Battery were heavily and consistently shelled & had a number of casualties also B & Warwick [Batteries]. At 10.30am the railway bridge beside 460 Battery was blown up burying in its pull 3 howitzers. The flaring of charges piled under the bridge, which had been set on fire, gave sufficient warning for HQ & the Battery to clear, HQ moved into the tunnel a few yards away. 2/Lt Pilling of 460th Battery was Brigade F.O.O; Major Thorneycroft and a party went forward to Houlette Work in H.31.b & both got messages back to the Brigade updating on the situation. The Brigade was ordered to move forward about 5pm. Positions were reconnoitered by Col Sherbrooke who proceeded down Battery Valley. Subsequently the Brigade was ordered to go down the Cambrai Road. Positions about H.31.B.1.1 were taken up circa 3am with orders to support attack on Brown Line at 6am. Casualties this day: Lt. W.J. Nowell - 460 Battery; 2Lt P.B. Duckworth - Warwick RHA; 2Lt G.A. Nicholls – Warwick; Corpl Edmunds G.E; 614325 Bdr Eaton J; 614035 A/Bdr Cope F.O; 614550 Gnr Bain D; 614339 Gnr DeHeriz C.R; 614034 Gnr Coldicott F.W; Gnr Peterkin J.W. all of Warwick R.H.A killed. No 614021 Staff Sgt Winyard subsequently died of wounds. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1893 in Leamington Spa | 6 Aug 1893 at Leamington St. John's |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| John and Harriet Bertha Cope | 27 Park Street, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Schools |
| Rugby Road School | Leamington Technical School |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1893 - 56 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington | 1911 - Law Clerk at Wright, Hassell & Co |
| 1901 - 56 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington | 1914 - Gunner in Royal Horse Artillery |
| 1911 - 1 Union Road, Leamington | |
| 1914 - 241 Rugby Road, Leamington | |
| 1916 - 27 Park Street, Leamington Spa |