Frank Ancliff

Frank was born at Leapool, Nottinghamshire, in March 1894, the son of Jim (Jem) and Mary Ancliff. His father was a collier. Jim was born in Nottinghamshire but his wife was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and at the start of their marriage they were living in Staffordshire. Jim and Mary had at least seven children; Jim (Jem), Mark, Mary A., Frank, Luke, Charles and Esther. All their children apart from Mark and Mary who were born in Litchfield, Staffordshire, were born in, or near, Arnold. In 1891 Jim and Mary were living at Ogley Hay, Staffordshire, where Jim was a coal miner. They had two sons, Jim (2) and Mark (1). By 1901 they were living at Derry Mount, Arnold, with their six children; Jim (12), who was a farm labourer, Mark (11), Mary (9), Frank (7), Luke (4), Charles (2) and Esther (4 months). At least two of Frank's brothers, Jim and Luke, also served during the Great War and survived the conflict. Jim, then 26 years old, joined the 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters at Newark on 1 December 1914. He was working as a filler at Bestwood Furnace when he enlisted. Jim did not go to France until 27 February 1917, was wounded 30 March 1917 and was posted home on 6 October 1918. He was discharged on 25 January 1919; total service 4 years 56 days. Luke, a collier at Gedling Colliery, also joined the 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He attested at Newark on 2 February 1915 when he was 18 years 9 months old and still living at the family home at Derry Mount. He rose to be a sergeant (306120). A third brother, Mark, may have served as a driver (64505) in the Royal Field Artillery, serving in France from 20 December 1914 and discharged on 19 September 1918.