Frank Wakelin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frank was the son of William and Kate Maria Wakelin (née Hogg) who were married in 1884 and had twelve children, eleven of whom survived childhood. The eldest child, Mary, was born before their marriage. The surviving children were: Mary Hogg (k/a Wakelin) b. Alfreton 1881, Arthur William b. 1886, Sarah Jane b. 1888, William b. 1889 (reg. 1890), Harriet b. 1892, Alfred b. 1895 and Kate Millicent b. 1896 who were born in Bulwell, Nottingham, and Gertrude b. 1898, Frank b. 1901 (reg. A/M/J), Ada b. 1903 and Harry b. 1906 who were born in Nottingham. The family lived on Quarry Road, Bulwell, in 1891 but by 1901 had moved to the Meadows, Nottingham. In 1911 they were living on Hawthorne Terrace, Hawthorne Street. His parents had moved to 69 Radcliffe Street, Meadows, by 1917 when his father was discharged from the Royal Defence Corps (see 'Extra information'). His father died in August 1920 and his mother in 1933.
Frank joined the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and served at Windsor Castle. Frank died in Windsor King Edward Hospital on 31 October 1920 from gunshot wounds (self-inflicted) and is buried with his father in Nottingham General Cemetery (grave number 9083). Inscription: '4248 Private W Wakelin Royal Defence Corps 8th August 1920 age (-). 2683359 Guardsman F Wakelin Scots Guards 31st October 1920 Age 19’ (See 'Extra information')
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Kate M. Wakelin, of 69, Radcliffe St. Trent Bridge, Nottingham, and the late William Wakelin.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Kate Marie Wakelin was his legatee. His father William served with the Royal Defence Corps (4948 Private) and was discharged (disability) in August 1917. He died on 8 August 1920. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Frank's older brother Arthur William Wakelin, served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (18526 Gunner) and was awarded the Military Medal (Gazette 17 June 1919). He also qualified for the 1914 Star (qualifying date 4 October 1915), the British War Medal and Victory Medal. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Their brother Alfred enlisted in the army in May 1911 and served with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, transferring to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion (15276 Private). He served in France from August 1914 but was taken ill with pneumonia and had to be medically evacuated to the UK where he spent four months in hospital. He probably then remained on home service. Alfred was admitted to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham, in May 1916 for an operation and then in December 1916 transferred to the Army Reserve. He was later assigned to colliery work (his previous civilian occupation) and then to munitions work at the Chilwell shell-filling factory.
