Name
Frank Ellis Whittred
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/07/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
242237
Yorkshire Regiment
2/5th Bn.
'D' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SISSONNE BRITISH CEMETERY
M. 14.
France
Headstone Inscription
Safe In God's Keeping
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Frank was born in 1891 in Ringstead, Norfolk and christened on 14 October 1891 in All Saints Church, South Lynn, Norfolk. The baptism only names his mother Emma Whittred, and their home address was given as 4 Kirby Street. Kings Lynn
In 1891 Emma and Frank were living at 4 Kirby Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk with Emma’s mother. Sarah was head of household a widow and working as a laundress, as was Emma (28). Also listed was granddaughter Elizabeth Smithbone (12) and grandson, and Emma’s child Frank at two months.
In 1901 the family were still living at Kirby Street – possibly Salvation Army Barracks, Kings Lynn. Present was Emma (38), now recorded as head of household and as a laundress working at home on own account. Frank was there, plus niece Elizabeth Smithbone (22) who was also working as a laundress.
By 1911 Frank had left home and was boarding with the Marshall family, living at 58 Lancaster Rd, Hitchin, Herts. Frank was 20 and working as a tailor (marker).
Frank married Bertha Elizabeth West (b 22/4/1889) they married in Hitchin in 1911.
Officially he was recorded as born in Ringstead, Norfolk and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. In this case he informs that he enlisted in 1916, quite possibly conscripted, and after training went to France in January 1916.
He seems that he fought the Germans in the German Spring Offensive of spring 1918. He was listed as missing on 27 May 1918, which was after the main Spring Offensive and the Germans were faltering. In fact he had been taken prisoner of war. It is not clear when this was known, there was an enquiry made of the British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, on 20 November 1918, but this was probably with the knowledge that he was a prisoner. In fact he died of exposure and privation and exhaustion as a prisoner of war.
He is buried in Row M, Grave 9 in the Sissonne British Military Cemetery in France. However, he had first been buried by the Germans in Morlot German Military Cemetery, near Laon, in grave 1628 at map ref. 70D.R 9. B.6.5. and he was identified by a cross, records and a khaki shirt.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs B E Whittred, ordered his headstone inscription, while living at 5 White Hill, Hitchin, Herts. in reads “Safe In God's Keeping”.
After his death £26 5s 8d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Berta, on 2 January 1920, which included a war gratuity of £11.
His pension cards record Bertha Elizabeth Whittred as his widow and as his next of kin, living at 5 White Hill, Hitchin. She was awarded pension of 13s 9d a week from 27 January 1919 and a grant of £5 on 14 April 1921. The card incorrectly gives his date of death as 27 May 1918, actually the date he went missing.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
