Frank Stockdale

Royal Army Medical Corps 2nd/1st East Lancs Field Amb. Frank was lost at sea when the transport ship, 'Royal Edward', was sunk by German submarine (UB-14) in the Aegean Sea. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey inc. Gallipoli (Panel 201 and 202 or 236 to 239 and 328). On 28 July 1915, the transport ship 'Royal Edward' embarked 1,367 officers and men at Avonmouth. The majority were reinforcements for the British 29th Infantry, with members of the Royal Army Medical Corps. All were destined for Gallipoli. Royal Edward was reported off the Lizard on the evening of the 28th, and had arrived at Alexandria on 10 August, a day after sister ship Royal George had sailed from Devonport. Royal Edward sailed for Moudros on the island of Lemnos, a staging point for the Dardanelles. On the morning of 13 August, Royal Edward passed the British hospital ship Soudan, heading in the opposite direction. Oberleutnant zur See Heino von Heimburg in the German submarine UB-14 was off the island of Kandeloussa and saw both ships. He allowed Soudan to pass unmolested, and focused his attention on the unescorted Royal Edward some 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Kandeloussa. He launched one of UB-14 '​s two torpedoes from about a mile (2 km) away and hit Royal Edward in the stern. She sank by the stern within six minutes.

CWGC additional information:- 'Son of Charles and Charity Stockdale, of 20, Richard St, New Town, Retford.' Retford Times 3 September 1915 - 'Pte Frank Stockdale' 'Mr and Mrs Stockdale of Kendle Cottage, Richard Street, Retford, have received intimation that their son, Pte Frank Stockdale of the 2nd 1st East Lancs, Field Ambulance also went down with the Royal Edward. The officers of the unit stationed at Crowborough have sent a copy of the letter of sympathy received by Mr Davison. Private Stockdale, before enlisting in November last was an apprentice at Messrs W J Jenkins and Co as a fitter. He was only 19 years of age. Mr and Mrs Stockdale have three more sons serving with the forces. They are Lance Cpl J W Stockdale of the 3rd 2nd East Lancs, Field Ambulance, stationed at Southport; Sapper Joseph Charles Stockdale of the Doncaster Company of Royal Engineers; and Sgt Lewis G Stockdale, 2nd/8th Sherwood Foresters. The heartfelt sympathy of their many friends will be extended to Mr and Mrs Stockdale in their sad bereavement.' Ordsall St Alban's parish magazine, September 1915, Honour to the Fallen: 'Frank Stockdale was drowned in the Aegean Sea when the King Edward transport was torpedoed.' (Retford Local Studies Library, ref 942.52 ORD) Retford & Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 14 September 1915 (extract): ‘Honour to the Fallen. John Rossington, Percy Scott, Ernest King, Arthur Phillipson and JD Hilton have been killed in France or Belgium, and Frank Stockdale was drowned in the Aegean Sea when the King (sic) Edward transport was torpedoed. Percy Scott, Ernest King, Frank Stockdale and Arthur Phillipson, were regular in their attendance at S. Alban’s Church, and were among the most promising of our younger Churchmen … Ordsall Parish Magazine.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Retford & Worksop Herald and North Notts Advertiser, 14 September 1915: ‘Stockdale. On the 14th of August, 1915, by the torpedoing of the transport ‘Royal Edward’, Private Frank Stockdale, of the East Lancashire RAMC, beloved son of Mr and Mrs C Stockdale of 20 Richard-street, Retford, aged 19 years. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Research by Colin Dannatt