Frank Berry
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frank Berry was born in Babworth, near Retford, Notts in 1885. Although referred to as Frank, his parents, Charles and Marie, christened him, Algernon Frank Berry, which he dropped to just plain Frank whilst in the army. He was the only son of nine children. By 1901 Frank’s parents had moved to Worksop where Charles was working on the Welbeck Estate. Frank had left the family home but must have took employment as a coal miner as this is how he described his job as when he enlisted with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in January 1906. He spent several years abroad and was transferred to the reserve on 1/3/1913 but due to the Great War was again mobilised at Winchester on 5 Aug 1914.
Rifleman Frank Berry Worksop Guardian 20 Nov 1914 News has been received by Mr and Mrs C Berry of 111 Netherton road, Worksop to the effect that their only son – Rifleman Frank Berry, of the 2nd Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles, has been killed in action with the British Expeditionary Force. The letter expresses the deep sympathy of the Army Council with Mr and Mrs Berry in their loss. Mr Berry was a reservist having served with his Regiment in India for seven years. He was called up on August 15th 1914. His death is the more painful as he is Mr and Mrs Berry’s only son. Great sympathy will be extended to them in their bereavement. The deceased soldier was a member of the Welbeck Lodge of Oddfellows. ................................................................................................................. Frank also served as a private with the 2nd Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps(See entry Hubert Foljambe) having originally signed up to become a regular soldier at the age of 20 in January 1906. He saw service in India and on 1 June 1913 he was placed on the reserve. Frank’s Parents, Charles , who was a groom and postern, and his wife Maria lived at 86, Netherton Road with his sisters when Frank was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of war. He rejoined the battalion at Aldershot and landed with them in France on 13 August as part of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division. He took part in the battle of Mons, the Retreat and the battles on the rivers Marne and Aisne before reaching the Belgium town of Ypres in early October. On evening of 22 October The 1st Division, part of 1 Corps commanded by Lt. General Sir Douglas Haig, held a position on each side of the village of Kortekeer where it was attacked by German forces with a two to one advantage endeavouring to break the British line and advance to the Chanel ports. If successful Britain would then have found it difficult if not impossible to continue the war. The Germans were held by great determination, skill and bravery but the British suffered heavy casualties, 1344 in the 1st Division alone. One of the dead was Frank Berry killed on 23 October. He has no known grave and is commemorated with his name inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres along with his comrades from the KRRC on Panels 51 & 53. Frank’s mother died in June 1916 aged 66 and no doubt her grief at the loss of her only son played a significant part in hastening this event. Charles Berry then went to live with his daughter in Bermondsey, London Robert Ilett Febuary 2015
Commemorated on the Ypres (Mennin Gate) Memorial. Research by Colin Dannatt
