Frank Wilcox
- Family History
- Military History
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Frank Wilcox was born in 1891 at Thurgarton and was the son of George and his first wife Mary Ann Wilcox (née Spencer). His father George was born in 1864 at Caythorpe, Nottinghamshire, and his mother was born in 1860 at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. They were married in 1886 (Mansfield Registration District) and they had the following children; Frank b1891, Alfred b1892 Newark and George b1895 at Winthorpe. His mother Mary Ann died in 1899 at Southwell; she was 40 yrs of age, His father George married Mary Ann Spouge (born 1869 Screveton) on 23rd August 1900 at Hoveringham. They lived at Rhoda Cottage, Hoveringham, and had the following children; Christine born 29th November 1902 at Gonalston, Raymond Arthur born 13th August 1906 at Southwell, John born 7th March 1908 at Southwell and Kathleen Emily born 29th August 1910 at Southwell. In the 1911 census the family was living at Hill House Stables, Burgage, Southwell, and shown as George 47 yrs a coachman, his second wife Mary Ann 42 yrs and children Frank 20 yrs a factory hand, threader Christine 8 yrs scholar, Raymond Arthur 4 yrs, John 3 yrs and Kathleen Emily 7 months of age.
Corporal Frank Wilcox enlisted at Southwell on 26th February 1909. He gave his age as 18 yrs and 7 months and address as The Burgage, Southwell. He served with the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and was promoted lance corporal on 18th April 1912 and corporal on 11th November 1914. He transferred to embodied service on 5th August 1914 and landed in France on 2nd March 1915, The 1/8th battalion was in the area of Kemmel in 1915 and early in June 'took over more of the J and K trenches, with the reserve company at Siege Farm and Battalion Headquarters at Rossignol Farm.' ('History of the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Capt. WCC Weetman) Frank was killed on 15th June 1915 when the German's exploded three mines beneath the battalion's postion, one partly destroying J Right trench. This was followed by a raid on the battalion's position which was repelled by 'C' Company. The battalion's casualties that day included two officers, a corporal and eight men killed. Frank was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave ref. D.71)
His father George Wilcox enlisted on 2nd October 1914 at Southwell and served with the Army Service Corps as an officers' servant. He landed in France on 14th October 1914 and served until his return to England on 16th August 1917. George was discharged from the Army on 17th December 1917 as no long fit for war service (rheumatism). He was awarded a Silver War Badge number 286710. 1/8th Bn casualties, 15 June 1915: Lieutenant AFO Dobson (grave ref. D.64), Lieutenant WH Hollins (D.70), Corporal F Wilcox (D.71), Privates AE Armitage (D.65), B Cox (D.67), FW Hill (D.66), P May (D.72), RW Moakes (D.69) and W Richardson (D.68) buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and Privates OL Bryan and A Cook commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘The 8th Sherwoods Badly Damaged. This interesting letter has been received by Mrs Wilson, wife of Ald. JL Wilson, from her son who is at the front. In the letter, which refers to the death of Lance Corporal Charlie Wilson, he adds that he attended Charlie’s burial ‘in a special ground we have in a village, just behind our lines’ [Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery] Just as we were waiting for the chaplain (about 9.15pm) there came from the trenches a terrific report, followed by two others almost instantly. At the same time the sky was lighted up by [a] tremendous flash, followed by a continuous roar of rifle fire and artillery. Of course, we knew immediately that it was a mine blown up, and that it must have been a German one, too. I cannot describe to you what it was like, but for at least an hour the roar was simply deafening.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk 'In memoriam'notice, Nottingham Evening Post, 15th June 1916:- “WILCOX. – In loving memory of Corporal Frank Wilcox, 8th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, June 15th, 1915. – Not forgotten. – Nance.” Above notice courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
