Name
Frank Albert Shelford
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/07/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
170891
Royal Field Artillery
“B” Battery, 180th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
XVI. F. 6.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial, St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town, Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town
Pre War
Frank was born on the 7th January 1987, the son of Frank & Annie Shelford, of 14, Letchmore Road, Stevenage. His father, a Baker and Corn Merchant, died at the age of 40 in March 1910.
His brothers Henry, Walter and Arthur also served in the Army, but Arthur was discharged due to a medical condition after just 19 days service. Henry Shelford was killed in action on the 23rd July 1918 whilst serving with the Tank Corps in France. Walter Shelford served with the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Wartime Service
It is known that Frank received serious shell wounds to his legs, which eventually led to his death and he is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
Albert and his brother Henry are also commemorated on the family headstone in Stevenage (St. Nicholas) Churchyard. Their inscription reads:
GUN. FRANK ALBERT SHELFORD. RF.
DIED OF WOUNDS 16TH OF MAY 1916(*1) AGED 25 YEARS.
INTERRED IN LIJSSENTHOEK IN BELGIUM
ALSO
CORP. HENRY JOHN SHELFORD TANK CORP
KILLED IN ACTION 23RD JULY 1918
The remaining inscription is not readable in our images.
*1 The date engraved appears to be a mistake as both the CWGC and SDITGW confirm 16th May 1917.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Stevenage Museum
