Frank William Fieldsend
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frank William was the son of Matthew and Lily Fieldsend (née Bilzon). His father Matthew was born in Whittington, Derbyshire, in 1873, the son of Matthew and Eliza Fieldsend. The family lived in Whittington and 1891 Matthew snr., now widowed, was living on Broomhill Lane with two of his sons, including Matthew (17), an iron worker, a married daughter and a granddaughter. His mother Lily was born in Newbold, Derbyshire, in 1876 the daughter of Henry and Harriett Bilzon, and baptised at Newbold parish church in September the same year. Although the famiy was living in Newbold in 1881 by 1891 they were living in Whittington; Henry and Harriett had nine children including Lily (15) who was a general domestic servant. Matthew and Lily were married at Whittington St Bartholomew in 1896 (A/M/J Chesterfield). They had six children, one of whom died young: Frank William b. Newbold 1897 bap. Whittington 26 April 1897; Rosanna b. Warsop 1900 bap. Warsop SS Peter & Paul 1901; Emma b. Warsop 1904; Matthew b. Warsop 1907 (reg. 1908 J/F/M); Gertrude b. Warsop 1911 and Gladys b. Warsop birth registered 1916 (J/F/M) d. 1917 (J/FM). In 1901 Matthew a colliery banksman, was an in-patient at Nottingham General Hospital while his wife Lily and their children Frank (4) and Roseanna (1) were at the family home in Plough Yoard, 3 Church Street, Warsop. The family was still living in Plough Yard, Matthew, Lily, Frank a colliery labourer and banksman, Roseanna, Emma (7) and Matthew (3). The fifth child, Gertrude, was born later that year while the ypungest, Gladys, was born in 1916 but died the following year. Frank's father Matthew died in 1920 and Lily married a widower, Joseph Hawksworth, in 1922. In 1939 Lily and Joseph (b. 1874) a retired coal miner hewer. Joseph died in 1944 and Lily ni 1947.
3rd Bn Grenadier Guards Frank served in France from 5 October 1915. He died of wounds at 2nd London Casualty Clearing Station a month later on 15 November 1915 and is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France (grave ref. IV.M.6). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Merville Communal Cemetery (extract): 'Merville was the scene of fighting between the Germans and French and British cavalry early in October 1914 but from the 9th of that month to 11 April 1918, it remained in Allied hands ... It was a railhead until May 1915, and a billeting and hospital centre from 1915-1918. The 6th and Lahore Casualty Clearing Stations were there from the autumn of 1914 to the autumn of 1915; the 7th from December 1914, to April 1917; the 54th (1st/2nd London) from August 1915 to March 1918, and the 51st (Highland) from May 1917 to April 1918 ... The cemeteries were not used again until the concentration of battlefield burials into the Extension began, after the Armistice ... Merville Communal Cemetery was used by French troops (chiefly cavalry) in October 1914, and for Commonwealth burials from that date until August 1916 (in the case of officers, to March 1918). (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Lily Hawksworth (formerly Fieldsend), of 7, Burns Lane, Warsop, Notts., and the late Matthew Fieldsend .' Mansfield Reporter: 26 November 1915: ‘Warsop Private Killed’ ‘Mr and Mrs M Fieldsend, of Warsop, received news of the death of their son, Pte. F Feidlsend, of the Grenadier Guards, on Saturday morning last. The deceased, who was only just turned 18 years of age, enlisted about ten months ago. The parents desire to thank their numerous friends for many sympathetic messages received by them. The following letters conveyed the sad information: ‘(-) Casualty Clearing Station, France, 16th Nov. 1915. Dear Mrs Fieldsend, I regret very much to say that Pte F Fieldsend was brought into this hospital yesterday, in an unconscious condition, and that he died an hour or two later. It may comfort you to know that he suffered no pain, and the end came quite peacefully. With deep sympathy, your sincerely, EM Long (Sister-in-charge).’ ‘1st Army, BEF, Nov. 16, 1915. Dear Madam, I regret to have to write to you to tell your that your son, Private F Fieldsend, was brought into hospital severely wounded and died almost immediately. I buried him today in the soldiers’ cemetery. Believe me, yours faithfully, AM Longridge, Chaplain.’ ‘The late Private Fieldsend was a member of the Warsop Parish Church Bible Class, and at the class on Sunday afternoon, a member proposed that a vote of condolence be passed to the parents and members of the family. The members remained standing whilst the ‘Dead March’ was played on the organ. The resolution has been conveyed by letter through Captain Elliott (CA) [Church Army].’ Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father Matthew was his legatee.
