Francis Charles Woolley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Francis, known as Frank, was born in Whissendine, Rutland in 1896 the son of John and Frances (née Birch). He was baptised in Pickwell near Melton Mowbray and at the age of 4 was living with his family in Eastwell close to Harby.Ten years later all the Woolleys had moved to Main Road Cotgrave by which time Frank had 5 siblings: Fred, Florence, Arthur, John and Doris. For many years Frank was brought up by his aunt, his mother’s sister, Mrs Annie Ecob (née Birch), in Upper Broughton. Frank’s nephew Roy, the son of his sister Doris, lives in Cotgrave today.
On 14 November 1914 Frank enlisted into the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifles, a unit of 2 Brigade in the 1st Division. After basic training he joined his Battalion on the Western Front where they had been since the war had started in August 1914. He was promoted Lance Corporal in June 1917 and Corporal in July 1918. In December 1916 Frank was wounded in the back and returned to UK to the Northern General Hospital in Leicester in Jan 1917. In March he was transferred to the Woodcote Convalescent Hospital in Sutton Coalfield to complete his recovery before moving to the Winchester Depot. He returned to France in July 1917 and almost immediately transferred to 21st Kings Royal Rifles who had been warned for a move to Italy with the 41st Division. On 17 November They moved by train, arriving and taking up a position behind the river Piave, North West of Treviso. 21 King's Royal Rifles was disbanded in Mar 1918 and Frank was returned to his original Battalion in 2 King's Royal Rifles. During his time in Italy he was promoted to ‘King's Corporal’ an unofficial honorary rank given those who had served valiantly. Frank continued to fight with his Battalion until 23 October 1918 when he was killed by a shell at the battle of the River Selle which had started on 17th October 1918. This battle was part of the pursuit of the German forces through Picardy and Artois.
Vis en Artois Memorial Panel 9 Thanks to John Ludlam for researching this page.
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