Frank Welbourne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frank's birth was registered in 1889 (J/F/M) and he was the son of Frank and Mary Ann Welbourne and the brother of John Thomas, Herbert Charles and George Welbourne. All the boys were born in Nottingham. In 1911 the family was living at 14 Berkeley Street, Nottingham. Frank (52 b. Plungar, Leicestershire), a pork butcher's journeyman, and his wife Mary (50, b. Derbyshire) had been married for 29 years and had had four children. All four sons were unmarried and still living at home; John (29) a drayman, Herbert (25) GNR carriage cleaner, Frank (22) a caster in a factory, and George (19) a threader of lace. Frank married Amy Knight at All Souls Church, Nottingham, on 9 April 1915 some months before he attested. Their daughter, Freda Amy Welbourne, was born in Nottingham on 8 May 1917. She died in the Children's Hospital, Nottingham, on 23 December 1917, just four months after her father's death. When Frank attested the family was living on Cumberland Street, Nottingham, but they later lived at 43 Westville Street, Nottingham, the address at which his widow was living when her daughter died. By 1919 Amy Welbourne was living at the Almshouses, 24 Park Street, Nottingham. Frank's mother died 16 August 1920, aged 59, and his father died 9 June 1924, aged 63.
13th Bn Middlesex Regiment. His service documents give the battalion as the 'Football Battalion'. He initially served in 3rd Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, transferring to the 7th Bn on joining the BEF. However, he transferred to the Middlesex Regiment on 8 July 1917 and was alloted a new regimental number, G/52199. Frank attested on 11 December 1915 when he was 27 years and 2 months. He was transferred to the Army Reserve 'B' on 12 December and then served at home from 30 May 1916 to 22 June 1917. He served in France from 23 June 1917 and was killed just two months later. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The Salvation Army memorial gives his rank as Bandsman and unit as East Yorks, with his date of death as 24 August 1917 Welbourne stood 5'3" tall and weighed only 90 lbs on enlistment. Family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Mary Ann, the beloved wife of Frank Welbourne, who died August 16th 1920 aged 59 years. Also of the above Frank Welbourne who died June 9th 1924 aged 63 years. Rest after weariness. Also of Mary Welbourne who died March 12th 1958 aged 82 years. Also of Frank, the beloved husband of Amy Welbourne, son of the above who was killed in action, August 24th 1917, aged 28 years.'
