Frank Osgarby Page

Private Frank Osgarby Page enlisted at Nottingham and initially served with service number 65366 in the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment, later transferring to the 229th Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).

He was killed in action on 1st November 1917 in Palestine during the Third Battle of Gaza, and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery (grave ref. XXIV.E.7). The history of the Cemetery suggests that Frank's grave might have either been a reburial after 7 November, or been brought in from the battlefields after the Armistice.

CWGC History of Gaza War Cemetery: 'Gaza is 3 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean coast, 65 kilometres south-west of Tel Aviv. Gaza was bombarded by French warships in April 1915. At the end of March 1917, it was attacked and surrounded by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in the First Battle of Gaza, but the attack was broken off when Turkish reinforcements appeared. The Second Battle of Gaza, 17-19 April, left the Turkish forces in possession and the Third Battle of Gaza, begun on 27 October, ended with the capture of the ruined and deserted city on 7 November 1917. Casualty Clearing Stations arrived later that month and General and Stationary hospitals in 1918. Some of the earliest burials were made by the troops that captured the city. About two-thirds of the total were brought into the cemetery from the battlefields after the Armistice. The remainder were made by medical units after the Third Battle of Gaza, or, in some cases, represent reburials from the battlefields by the troops who captured the city.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC Additional information: Son of Eliza Kate Osgarly (formerly Page), of 3, St. Chads Rd., Nottingham, and the late John Page.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: Until the dawn'

Inscription on family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of John (L) Page who died December 28th 18-2 aged 34 years Also of Eliza Enllis mother-in-law of the above who died Decr. 16th 1906 aged 79 years. Also to the dear memory of Pte. Frank Page, MGC, youngest son of the above JL & EK Page, killed in action in Palestine Novr. 1st 1917 aged 26 years. To live in hearts we love is not to die. Also Eliza Kate beloved wife of William Osgarby who died Novr. 24th 1923 aged 72 years. At Rest.'

'In memoriam' notices published 1 November 1918, Nottingham Evening Post :-

'PAGE. – In memory of Pte. Frank Page, M.G.C., killed in action November 1st, 1917. – Mother and brothers.'

'PAGE. – In fond remembrance of Frank Page, killed in action November 1st, 1917. – Becky.'

Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918