Frank Caudle
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Adam Caudle and Eliza Buxton married in 1887. They were natives of Retford and Adam’s working life consisted as working as a horseman, coachman or groom. They had four children, two born in Retford, Tom in 1891 and Annie in 1893, and two born in Worksop, Frank in 1896 and Rose in 1899. Their address in Worksop was 5 Chapel House, West Gate, Worksop. When he was 14 years old, Frank was working as a general labourer at the local Steetley quarry.
Soldiers record - Frank Caudle attested at Worksop on 19 March 1914, age 17 years 240 days. Service number 3817 Pte 8th Sherwood Foresters. He embodied service on 5 August 19 14 and was discharged from 1/8 Notts and Derby on the 18 Sept 914 medically unfit. (He later managed to enlist in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment) Pte Frank Caudle Worksop Guardian 24 November 1916 Another Worksop soldier to give his life for his country is Pte Frank Caudle, son of Mr Adam Caudle, 5, Chapel Houses, Westgate, who died in a clearing hospital in France on November 5th, from wounds received in action. He was only 20 years of age, and had been in France three month’s. The poor lad was determined to be a soldier. He could not bear the thought of stopping at home whilst so many young men were answering the call. So, though he was flat footed he offered himself, to be rejected, the lad bought himself irons and managed to improve so much that when he next presented himself for enlistment, he was accepted, much to his satisfaction. Previous to this he worked at Steetley Quarry. He joined the 8th Sherwood’s and went through the rising in Dublin. His rifle was shot out of his hands at the very time Leiut. Daffen was killed. Later he was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and drafted to France. He had been home since Christmas last year. Pte Caudle sustained shell-shock soon after he had been in France and on another occasion he had a very narrow escape. The telegram announcing his death stated that a letter would follow, but as yet this has not been received. The Rev. A.E. Heywood, Church of England Chaplain, writes:- “Dear Mr Caudle, I regret to say that Frank having fought the good fight has been called to his rest. We may hope he did not suffer much here and pray for his happiness in his Home above where he is just waiting to see you all again. I commended him to His Heavenly Father and buried him near his brave comrades yesterday.” We hope to produce Pte Caudle’s photograph in our next issue.
Formerly 3817, Notts and Derby Regt. Buried Puchevillers British Cemetery, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
