Frank Hutchinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Francis (Frank) was the son of John and Eliza Ellen Hutchinson (née Wilson). His father John was born in Sutton in Ashfield in 1868 and his mother Eliza Ellen was born in 1869, also in Sutton in Ashfield. They were married in 1888 and by 1911 had had eight children, two of whom had died in infancy. All the children were born in Sutton in Ashfield: Luther birth registered 1889 (J/F/M), Francis (Frank) b. 1890, May b. 1892, Hilda b. 1895, Clarence b. 1898, Sarah Jane b. 1900 d. 1900, Edith b. 1902 and John Sidney birth registered 1904 (J/F/M) d. 1905. There may have been another son, John, who was born in 1912 (J/F/M Mansfield, mother's maiden name Wilson). John, a hosiery factory hand, his wife Eliza and their five surviving children Luther, Frank, May, Hilda and Clarence were living at 46 St Michael Street, Sutton in Ashfield, in 1901. Their daughter Sarah had died the previous year. The family had moved to Herne Street, Sutton in Ashfield, by 1911: John, a hosiery worker, Eliza, Luther a buyer (hosiery), Frank, May and Hilda who were hosiery hands and Clarence and Edith who were still at school. Their eighth child, John, had died in 1905. His father John probably died in December 1931. At the time the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled, his widow Eliza was living on Bath Street, with her unmarried daughter, Edith. Eliza died in January 1941. Frank married Martha Ann Cannon (b. 1892) in 1914 (registered Mansfield) and they had one daughter, May (b. May 1916). Martha married Frank Gilbert in 1923 and they had a daughter, Marjorie (b. 1925). In 1939, Frank, a civil servant (Ministry of Labour), his wife, their daughter Marjorie and May Hutchinson, also a civil servant (Ministry of Labour), were living on Outram Street, Sutton in Ashfield. Martha probably died in 1963. Frank's brother, Luther, may have served in the Labour Corps (637829 Private), and was discharged in February 1919.
Private Frank Hutchinson enlisted at Mansfield and served with 2/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. Frank was killed in action in France on 20 July 1918. His grave was brought in to Marfaux British Cemetery after the Armistice (grave ref. I. E. 12). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Marfaux British Cemetery (extract): the Commune of Marfaux is about 18km from Reims and 16km from Epernay. 'Marfaux was captured by the Germans in May 1918, and retaken, after severe fighting, on the 23rd July, by the 51st (Highland) and 62nd (West Riding) Divisions and the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion. The cemetery was begun after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields and from other Military Cemeteries in the Marne [listed with histories].' (www.cwgc.org)
Frank's brother, Clarence Hutchinson, served with the 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment (49031 Private) and was died of wounds in France on 10 October 1918. He is buried in Beaulencourt British Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Report published in the Notts Free Press, 1st November 1918 :- “PRIVATE F. HUTCHINSON, SUTTON “Pte. Frank Hutchinson, 150, Outram-street, formerly of Edward-avenue, Sutton, was killed in action on July 20th [1918]. He joined the colours in December, 1916, and had been highly commended for his bravery. Though wounded, he brought in his officer, who was fatally injured. He returned to France in March last, and met with his death on the date stated. Of a quiet and amiable disposition, he was highly respected by all who knew him. Previous to enlistment he worked for Mr. B. Walton. He was 28 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child. “The following letter has been received: – “I have received your letter on the 9th enquiring after your brother, Private F. Hutchinson. I am very sorry it has been necessary for you to write. We have been too busy lately in our Companies to do much correspondence. You many have heard officially by now of your brother's death in action on 20th July. I am very sorry indeed about it, and would be very grateful to you if you would break the news to your people at home. It has been very difficult to get any details, as all the Company Officers and many of the N.C.O.s were wounded, and did not come out of action with the men, but as far as I can make out, your brother went over the top with the Company about eight a.m. and was killed by their fire. He was buried within the next day or so, practically on the spot where he fell. It may be of some small consolation to you to know that he died fighting in one of the greatest and most important battles of the war. Our division and another were fighting side by side with the French and Italians, and we were attacking at a strong point in Champagne. Everybody worked magnificently, and it is owing to the supreme effort and self-sacrifice of such as your brother that we captured hundreds of prisoners and several kilometres of ground, and left a reputation with the French which will never die. Please accept all our sympathies in your great loss.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Martha was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers index cards: named his widow Martha Ann and daughgter May.
