William Frost
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William was the son of William and Elizabeth Frost (nee Briggs), who were married in 1883. William and Elizabeth had ten children born alive of whom only six were still living at the time of the 1911 Census although they were later to lose two sons in the war. Eight children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; William, Thomas, Francis, Harry, Charles, Nellie, Harold and Leonard. In 1891 William (b. abt 1851, Nottingham), a lace maker, and Elizabeth (b. abt 1862, Shelford, Notts) were living at 10 Mosley Street, New Basford, with their four sons, William (6), Thomas (5), Francis (3) and Harry (3 months). Ten years later in 1901 they were still at the same address. Seven children were in the home on the night of the census; William, Thomas, Francis, Harry, Charles (8), Nellie (5) and Harold (2). Also in the house was Elizabeth's brother, Henry Briggs (35). Thomas, their second son, died later the same year aged 15 (b. abt. 1886, death registered Jul/Aug/Sept). William senior died in 1903 aged 52 and his son, Charles, died in 1910, aged 17 (b. abt. 1893). By 1911 Elizabeth was living at 48 Lees Hill Street, Sneinton; she was working as a newsagent on her own account. Five of her six children were at home on the night of the census; William, Harry, Nellie, Harold and Leonard (8). Elizabeth's brother, Henry Briggs, was still living with the family. William married Sarah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Gothard on 26 February 1912. They lived at 120 Colwick Road, Sneinton, although the notice of William's death in the local paper gives their address as 23 Colwick Road. His widow later moved to New Westwood, Nottinghamshire. William's brother, 58746 Private Harold Frost, served in the 2nd Battalion Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, from 22 February 1917 and was killed in France on 28 March 1918 (Pozieres Memorial). William's widow completed a form for the army following her husband's death which listed her husband's surviving blood relatives. The following were named: Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Frost, New Westwood near Jacksdale, Notts. Mother: Elizabeth Frost, 116 Colwick Road, Sneinton Brothers: Francis Frost (32), 12 Sandringham Road, Nottingham. Harry Frost (28) 5 Bradbury Street, Nottingham, and Leonard Frost (17), 116 Colwick Road, Nottingham. Sister: Nellie Frost (21), 116 Colwick Road, Nottingham William's mother, Elizabeth, died in 1953 aged 91.
Formerly 63446 KOYLI. He enlisted on 24 May 1916 at the age of 31 years 363 days. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 25 May and was mobilized on 5 October 1916. Initially serving in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry he was transferred to the RAMC on 19 May 1917. He was registered as a dispenser on 6 September 1917 (three years as a dispenser). He embarked Devonport on 9 October 1917 for Bombay where he disembarked on 3 December 1917. He arrived in Deolali on the following day and died there on 15 December 1917. He is buried in Deolali Government Cemetery (Plot CE. Row K. Grave 29). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Court of Inquiry, 15 December 1917. ‘Died suddenly at No. 2 Camp, Deolali. A court of inquest was held the same day, the findings of which were: The findings of the post mortem examination were as follows: A cystic (-) of the brain leading to the presence of an excessive amount of cerebro-spinal fluid the lateral ventricles. There were also old tubercular lesions in the apices of both lungs. Capt McAdam states in his opinion the cause of death was due to cerebral compression due to excessive fluid associated with the cyst. I therefore bring in a verdict in accordance with the findings of the examination medical evidence. The cause of death being due to cerebral compression due to excessive fluid associated with the cyst. Signed O Molony, Maj. JP Magistrate
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 22 February 1918, 'on December 19th (sic) on active service abroad of a brain fever, Private William Frost RAMC age 33 (sic), husband of Elizabeth Frost, 23 Colwick Road, and eldest son of Elizabeth and the late William Frost of New Basford.'
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