Frank Devereux
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frank was the son of Florence Mary/May Devereux (later Algar). His mother completed a form for the army in October 1919 listing her son's surviving blood relatives* and named his father as George Broome of Weybread, Suffolk. There is a record of a family of the name Broom (sic) living in Weybread in 1891: James Broom, a farmer, his wife and their eight children, including George Alfred (also Alfred George) aged 14. George Broom (b. 1876), a farmer, was living in Fressingfield, Suffolk, when the England & Wales Register was compiled in 1939. Florence May was born in Starston, Norfolk, in about 1882, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Devereux, who were both born in Norfolk. However, the family had moved to Weybread by 1891 when the census recorded Charles, a farmer, his wife and their four children, including Florence (10), living on Fressingfield Road. Frank was born on 27 June 1897 at 'The Rookery', and baptised at Weybread St Andrew on 4 October 1897. Only his mother's name appeared on the baptismal register. Florence has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but Frank (3) was recorded living at Dranes Farm, Suffolk, a boarder in the home of James Coleman, an agricultural labourer, and his wife and their two children. Florence married Charles Henry Algar at South Lynn All Saints, Norfolk, in 1905. The registration of marriage gave her place of residence as Weybread while Charles was living in Kings Lynn although he too had been born in Weybread. The couple had six children: Ivy Annie b. Weybread 1905 and Leonard Charles b. 1907, Alic George b. 1909, Olive Mabel b. 1912, Audrey Florence b. 1918 and Trevor E b. 1922, who were all born in Kings Lynn. Charles Algar, a mechanical engineer, and Florence were living at Sidney Terrace, Saddlebow Road, Kings Lynn, in 1911. As well as their three children (Ivy, Leonard and Alic), Florence's son Frank Devereux (13) was also living with them although he was described as a 'boarder.' Frank later worked as a farm labourer in Balderton, Newark, Nottinghamshire, where he lived on Main Street. His mother Florence Algar was living at 'St Leonard's', Queen's Avenue, Kings Lynn, when the CWGC record was compiled and she and her husband and their five children were recorded living in Kings Lynn on the 1921 Census; their youngest child Trevor was born the following year. Florence died in 1929. Charles Algar married Mabel Holland in 1932 and in 1939 he was the licensee of the Portland Arms Inn, Kings Lynn. His two youngest children, Audrey and Trevor, were living with him and his wife. *Florence named the following as Frank's surviving blood relatives: Father: George Broome (sic), Weybread Suffolk. Mother: Florence Algar, St Leonard's Queen's Avenue Kings Lynn Brothers/sisters: none Brothers (half-blood): Leonard Algar (12), Alic Algar (10) Sisters (half-blood): Ivy Annie Algar (14), Olive M Algar (7), Audrey Algar (1) Grandfather: Charles Devereux, Weybread Suffolk Aunts: Lucy Miles address Suffolk (illegible) and Bessie (surname illegible) address Suffolk (illegible]
24th County of London (The Queen's) Bn London Regiment. Formerly 3112 Private, 2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Frank Devereux attested in Newark on 9 November 1914 on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of War). He was 17 years 120 days old and employed as a farm labourer. He was posted to the 2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters. The 2/8th Bn was a Territorial Force battalion formed at Newark in September 1914. Stationed for home defence duties in Norfolk and also training new recruits for its sister battalion, it then served in Dublin (1916) and with the BEF France from February 1917, disembarking at Le Havre. The Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. Frank embarked at Southampton on 26 February 1917 and disembarked at Le Havre the following day. The (damaged) service record does not show which unit he was serving with but it was probably the 2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (see details above). Frank was admitted to hospital ('sick') on 4 December 1917 but rejoined his unit on 25 December. He was posted to the 2/6th Sherwood Foresters on 29 January 1918 and joined 'In the Field' the same day. The Battalion was a second line Territorial Force battalion, formed in Chesterfield in September 1914. It served in Dublin (1916) and then in France from February 1917, disembarking Boulogne. Frank's service record showed that he arrived at KIBD (Calais Infantry Base Depot) on 7 May 1918 and that KIBD granted him leave 14-28 June 1918, sufficient time to return to the UK if allowed. The 2/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters was disbanded in July 1918 and transfers to other units included the 1/22nd and 1/24th 'The Queen's'. Frank was serving with the 1/24th Bn London Regiment ('The Queens') when he was killed in action on 14 October 1918 (battalion casualty report dated 20 October 1918). The Battalion had taken part in the Battle of Courtrai (Second Battle of Belgium), a series of offensives from late September to October 1918. Frank is buried in Aubers Ridge British Cemetery, Aubers, France (grave ref. VI.E.14). The cemetery was made after the Armistice and so Frank's grave was brought in from either the surrounding battlefields or one of the burial grounds. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Aubers Ridge Britsh Cemetery (extract): 'Aubers village was taken by the 9th Brigade on the 17th October, 1914, with Herlies and part of the Ridge, and on the 19th the 2nd Royal Irish took Le Pilly. These gains, however, were lost within a few days, and the Ridge, in spite of repeated attacks, was not captured by British forces for three years. Early in October, 1918, it was secured by the 47th (London) Division. The cemetery was made after the Armistice, by the concentration of graves from the battlefields on all sides of Aubers and the following smaller burial grounds [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
Note: no trace of Frank Devereux's name on either Weybread St Andrew war memorial or Kings Lynn memorials. CWGC additional information: 'Son of Mrs. Florence Algar, of "St Leonards," Queen's Avenue, Kings Lynn.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Fight the good fight' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Florence Algar was his legatee. Frank's personal possessions were returned to his mother, probably in 1919, and comprised: disc, photos, wallet, notebook, belt, badges, cap bag.
