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EADE John Arthur
Private. 1970. 1st/1st.
Essex Yeomanry
Died of wounds 15th January 1916. Age: 24
Private John Arthur Eade was the son of Henry Charles and Robina Denby Eade, of Cromwell House, Chapman Road, Clacton-on-Sea. Born in Westminster, London. He lived in Frome, according to the Somerset War Memorial. He is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave ref: III. B. 7. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial and St. John’s Memorial in Frome.
EATON Joseph Henry
Private. 16270.
2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Killed in action 15th September 1916. Age: 26
Private Joseph Henry Eaton was born in Tittlewick, Berkshire, and lived at Little Keyford, Frome. Son of the late Mr and Mrs William Eaton, of 83, St. Mark’s Road, Maidenhead; and husband of Kate Eaton. He was reported missing in the Somerset Standard, dated 13th of October 1916. Having completed three years in the army before war broke out. His battalion was stationed at Windsor, as part of the 4th (Guards) brigade of the 2nd division, and landing at Le-Havre, France on the 13th of August 1914. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, Somme, France. Grave Ref: XL. K. 5. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
EDWARDS Arthur H (photo available)
Private. 19241.
5th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Died of wounds 2nd May 1917. Age: 20
Private Arthur H Edwards was born in Frome, enlisted in Frome, and was formerly in the North Somerset Yeomanry, army number 482. Son of Mr Carey Arthur Edwards of Rossiters Hill, Frome, who was formerly a head draughtsman at J.W. Singers of Frome. He went to France with the North Somerset Yeomanry, in the early days of the war ,having been a member before war broke out. Invalided home for a period suffering with dysentery, he returned to France, acting as batman to an officer. It was from this officer the news came of his death, who spoke of him in the highest terms, and said he was badly wounded on the 1st of May 1917 in both legs and thighs by a shell. He was evacuated to an Australian casualty clearing station, where he died the next day. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: II. B. 14. His name appears on the Frome War
EDWARDS George Francis
Private. 22496.
1st Battalion Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment)
Killed in action 7th June 1917. Age: 19
Private George Francis Edwards was born at Lullington, Frome, the son of Henry and Eliza Edwards, of Rose Bridge Cottage, Sutton Road, Somerton, Somerset. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. Panel 53. Memorial.
EDWARDS Ivor Stanley Reginald Rex (photo available)
Private. PO/17984.
Royal Marine Light Infantry
Killed in action 5th June 1916. Age: 18
Private Ivor Stanley Reginald Rex Edwards was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Edwards, of 8, Rodden Lake, Frome. He left Frome at the age of sixteen, to enlist into the Royal Marines, and was on H.M.S “Hampshire”, with Lord Kitchener and his staff. The Secretary of State for War was on his way to Russia. The “Hampshire”, a cruiser, was escorted by two destroyers and was making her way in the face of a north easterly gale. During the evening the weather worsened and the two destroyers turned back, but “Hampshire” continued. At about 8 pm she struck a mine and sunk within minutes. It took place about a mile
and a half from land, to the west of the Orkneys. Fourteen men managed to reach land, but over 700 lives were lost. Private Edwards was one of those who perished. He is commemorated on the Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire. Panel 22. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
EDWARDS Oswald James
Lieutenant.
456th Field Coy.
Royal Engineers
Died 10th December 1918. Age: 41
Born in Frome, Lieutenant Oswald James Edwards was the son of Mrs Ann Edwards, of 1, Eden Grove Road, Byfleet, Surrey. He is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Grave Ref: V. L. 5. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
EDWARDS Thomas
Private. 20273.
1st Battalion Essex Regiment
Died of wounds 12th November 1915. Age: 18
Private Thomas Edwards was born in Warminster, and was the son of George and Sarah Ann Edwards of Bowns Cottage, Critchill, Frome. Formerly 86705 Royal Artillery. His name appears in the Somerset Standard dated November 26th 1915 as being seriously wounded. He took part in the Gallipoli Campaign, and is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey. Grave Ref: I. B. 7. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial, and Christ Church, Frome.
ELLIOTT Uriah George
Private. 7281.
1st Battalion Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Died of wounds 20th August 1915.Age: 37
Private Uriah George Elliott was born at Marston Bigot, Frome, and was the son of Jesse and Mary Ann Elliott, of Tytherington, Frome. According to the Somerset Standard, he was 30 years old, and had completed nearly 12 years in the army, nine of which were with the reserves. He worked on the Manor Farm at Tytherington up to two years before war broke out, when he left for a life in London. When war was declared he was called up, and was part of 16 Platoon, “H” Company, Somerset Light Infantry, and went to the Front Line in August 1914. He received a gunshot wound to the head which resulted in the fracture of the cranium on the 8th of July 1915. In a letter from Sgt. C.H. Austin, a Frome man, he stated, “...I was next to him when he and another man were wounded. I bandaged them both to the best of my ability and got them back to a place of safety. Of the two your brother was the least wounded, and I sincerely thought he had a good chance of getting over it, although it was an ugly wound....He was a man I was very sorry to lose, as he was experienced, and he is a great loss to the platoon...He was always a good soldier, devoted to his duty, and very willing and hard working man. Deep regret at his death is felt in the platoon, as he was a chum to all...” He was removed to hospital at Etaples, France. On the 13th of August he was admitted to the First Administration War Hospital at Birmingham, where he died on the 20th August 1915. He is buried at Birmingham (Lodge Hill) Cemetery, Warwickshire. Grave Ref: B10.3.280C. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
ELLIOTT Edward Charles
Private. 15607. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
Killed by accident 8th January 1916. Age: 21
Private Edward Charles Elliott, was born in Nunney, Frome, and was the son of Frank and Agnes Elliott, of Trudoxhill, Frome. He was accidently shot whilst cleaning his rifle with another soldier. He is buried at Robecq Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: 7. His name appears on the Nunney War Memorial, Marston, formerly Trudoxhill church before closure.
EMERY Ernest Albert
Sergeant. 13248. 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Killed in action 30th September 1918.
Sergeant Ernest Albert Emery was born in Chilton Polden, Somerset, and lived in Frome. He is buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave Ref: III. H. 13. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
EVANS William
Lance Corporal. 38309.
1st Battalion Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Killed in action 14th May 1918. Age: 32
Lance Corporal William Evans was born in Frome and was believed to be the son of Mrs Ayres of 11, Union Street, Frome. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines, Belgium. Panel 3. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
FELLOWS Samuel
Private. 37838.
Royal Army Medical Corps
Died of wounds 16th July 1916
Private Samuel Fellows was the son of Mr S. Fellows, of Great Elm, Frome; and husband of Eliza Fellows, of 19, Salisbury Road, Smethwick. In October 1915, Private Fellows was carrying a wounded soldier from the trenches on his back, when a shell burst behind him. The shell blew the wounded soldiers head off , and the shock caused Private Fellows to bite his tongue almost in half. He never reported the injury for two months, and it was found he had developed a growth in his throat. He was treated in hospital, and was transferred to a Birmingham hospital, where he died. He is buried at Smethwick Old Churchyard, Staffordshire. Grave Ref: 2704. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
FERRIDAY Everett
Private. TR7//10128.
16th Reserve Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment
Died at home 3rd April 1917. Age: 18
Private Everett Ferriday was born in Camborne, Cornwall, and was the son of the Reverend J. Grieves Ferriday, (six years Primitive Methodist Minister at Frome, and later of Mount Tabor Chapel, Bristol), and Elizabeth Ferriday, both of 5, Portland Road, Frome. On attaining the age of 18 years, Private Everett Ferriday joined up for service, having been employed at a motor and cycle works in Bristol. He was drafted to the 94th Territorial Reserve Battalion, of the Gloucestershire Regiment and was stationed at Chisedon Camp, Swindon. He caught a chill almost immediately and a severe attack of bronchial pneumonia developed, from which he died. It was decided by his friends that internment should take place at Frome, where he always maintained a happy connection, and where he was a frequent visitor from Bristol. His body was sent to Frome, and was received by the Royal Field Artillery, who where stationed in the town. There was a military funeral, the body was conveyed by one of the R.F.A guns, draped with a Union Jack, to Vallis Road Cemetery. Frome Town Band headed the procession, followed by mourners and a firing party of the R.F.A, marching to arms reversed. Hundreds of people were out in the streets watching the procession. At the end of the internment at Vallis Road Cemetery, the R.F.A fired three volleys in the air over the grave, and the bugler of the battery sounded the “Last Post”. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial.
FINNEY W H
Lance Corporal. 572328.
Royal Garrison Artillery
Died 4th March 1919. Age: 41
Son of Henry William Finney; husband of Emily J. Finney, of 78, Selwood Road, Frome. Born in London, Gunner Finney died from pneumonia. He is buried at Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Tournai, Hainaut, Belgium. Grave Ref: IV. L. II. His name does not appear on the Frome War Memorial.
FLETCHER William Lewis
Private. 38683.
7th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s (Light Infantry)
Died of wounds 28th August 1918. Age: 19
Private William Lewis Fletcher was born in Beckington, Frome, and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Fletcher, of Tisbury Row, Tisbury, Wiltshire. He was formerly 7/2736 Training Reserve Battalion. He is Buried at Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: VI. B. 12. His name does not appear on the Beckington Memorial.
FLOWER Albert (photo available)
Private. 201854.
2nd/4th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment
Killed in action 27th August 1917. Age: 30
Private Albert Flower was born in Frome, and was the son of Mrs Jesse Flower, of Home Street, Nunney, Frome. He was a member of the church choir before joining up, and was the thirteenth Nunney man to give his life for his country. Albert has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Paschendaele, Belgium. Panel 72 to 75. His name appears on Nunney War Memorial.
FORD Herbert Edgar
Private. 32485.
2nd Garrison Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died 16th April 1919. Age: 29
Private Herbert Edgar Ford was born in Frome and was the husband of Ethel M. Ford, of 15, Morgans Lane, Frome, formerly of The Butts, and Trinity Street, Frome. Herbert, a collier before joining the army died from Phthisis (Tuberculosis of the lungs) in a Birmingham hospital, leaving a widow and child. Herbert served for some time on garrison duty with the Bedfordshire Regiment. He is buried at Frome (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Grave Ref: Old part 3. His name does not appear on the Frome War Memorial.
FRANCIS Henry John, (photo available)
Private, 1416.
1/4th Battalion Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry.)
Died 1st September 1915.
Private Henry Francis was a native of Castle Cary, but he had lived in Frome for a number of years, and was well known to many, having been a member of the Salvation Army. He went out with the 1/4th Somerset’s to India on the 9th of October 1914 from Southampton and arrived in Bombay India on the 9th of November 1914. He died at Peshawar, India from pneumonia. Captain A. Baker, who was commanding the Castle Cary Company, said, “...I am extremely sorry that the death of your son had to be made known to you. It is all the harder to bear since he died so many thousands of miles from his home in Somerset. I should therefore like to assure you that everything was done which could be done for him. He was sent to the station hospital here as soon as he was reported sick and there he had every attention. He was given a military funeral and the service was conducted by the Wesleyan minister...As he was put in his resting place the “Last Post” was sounded with bugles and three volleys fired over his grave..he always did his duty and tried his best to become an efficient soldier, and he died in the service of His Majesty and King Emperor. In another letter from a Private Alec Creed, (a comrade), he said “...myself and A. Wade were two of the bearers...every man turned out to the funeral, to the number of about 200. Every officer attended as well, also the sergeant major of the battalion. The band played the “Death March” and 12 men fired the salute and eight buglers sounded the “Last Post”. The body was carried to the cemetery by gun carriage. He is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial, (India Gate) India. His name does not appear on the Frome War Memorial.
FRANKLIN Richard
Private. 13076.
4th Battalion South Wales Borderers
Died 18th August 1915. Age: 31
Private Richard Franklin was born in Warminster, Wiltshire, and was the husband of Mrs M. Whiting (formerly Franklin) of 83, Broadway, Frome. He enlisted in Newport Monmouthshire, and lived in Abercarn, Monmouthshire. He died during the Gallipoli Campaign. He is buried in East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece. Grave Ref: II. F. 100. His name appears on The War Memorial, and Trinity Memorial in Frome.
FRANKS Charles Alfred
Rifleman. 4796.
2nd/21st (County of London) Battalion (1st Surrey Rifles)
Killed in action 15th September 1916. Age: 20
Rifleman Charles Alfred Franks was the son of Mr and Mrs T. J. Franks, of 14, Castle Street, Frome. He was killed during the “Battle of the Somme”, and on the same day tanks were used in battle for the first time. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13C. His name does not appear on the Frome War Memorial.
FRICKER Edwin Joseph
Private. 65503.
10th Battalion Devonshire Regiment
Died 16th February 1919. Age: 20
Private Edwin Joseph Fricker was the son of Frederick Fricker, of Upper Vobster, Coleford, Bath. He is buried at Vobster (St. Edmond) Churchyard, Mells, Frome. His name appears on the Mells War Memorial.
FRICKER William James (photo available)
Private. 22532.
6th Battalion Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry)
Died 13th May 1918. Age: 37
Private William James Fricker was born in Frome, and was the son ofWilliam Stephen and Eleanor Fricker, of 47, Butts Hill, Frome. He was last heard of as a prisoner of war in Stendal, Germany. A letter from him dated May 11th 1918, showed him to be in a pitiable state for want of food. He appealed to all his friends for bread to be sent to him. He died two days after his last letter was written. Before joining the army he was well known in Frome as a florist. He is buried at Annois Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France. Grave Ref: I. C. 8. His name appears on the Frome War Memorial, St. John’s, and Christ Church Memorials in Frome.
FRY Rowland (photo available)
Private. 2979.
2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment
Killed in action 27th August 1915. Age: 42
Private Rowland Fry was born in Frome, and was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Rowland Fry, of “Percy Cottage”, Locks Hill, Frome. He had left Frome and settled in Wales, leaving two children and his wife, who were living in Pontypridd at the time. He had served for some time in the Welsh Territorial's, and at the outbreak of war joined the 2nd Gloucesters. He had been five months at the Western Front when he met his death. A brother, living at Westbury, Wiltshire, had received a letter from a company quartermaster Sergeant J. Webb, of the 2nd Gloucester regiment, which stated, “...I regret to have to write and tell you that your brother, was killed in the trenches on the 27th August. I am exceedingly sorry for not letting you know before. He was buried, and a cross has been put on his grave...”. Private Fry was trained at Abbey Wood, Lewisham, and the White City. He went out to France on the 11th December 1914. Letters had been received from him telling of the four and five weeks right off in the trenches, and that the noise of the constant fighting of shot and shell was too terrible for description. If, he said, he could only mention all the places he had been to and the sights he had seen, it would be something worth reading. In a letter dated May 23rd 1915, he stated, “... you will see by the papers that the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Gloucester's have gone through some hard times, and it is only by the grace of God that I am alive to-day. The worst of it is, I am afraid the rest won’t be far long, but whenever it is over and we start again, I don’t mind, as it cannot be worse than what we have been through. On the 9th of May the Germans started with an hours rifle fire at six o’clock in the morning and then started shelling our trenches, but they could not shift us, although there are a good many missing from our ranks. We have had General French here, and he gave our Brigade a good name, and I think we earned it...”. The last communication from Private Fry was a field card dated July 9th 1915. He is buried at Brewery Orchard Cemetery, Nord, France. Grave Ref: II. B. 5. His name does not appear on the Frome War Memorial.
FUSSELL John William Hugo
Second Lieutenant.
3rd Battalion Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Killed in action 19th July 1916. Age: 19
Second Lieutenant John William Hugo Fussell was the eldest son of Mr J. W. H. Fussell, of Benguella Angola (formerly of Mells, Frome) and Mrs Fussell, of the “Slopes”, Cavershaw, Oxon. He was on a visitto Angola, after leaving Blundells, Tiverton, Devon, when war was declared. He took the first ship home (Norwegian Trawler) and enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company in 1914, quickly gaining promotion. In June 1915, he was given a commission in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. His Captain wrote, “...When he joined my company six weeks ago, we all remarked what a good fellow he was. He was always cheerful and bright...On duty he was keen and efficient. he settled down at once to all the shells and bullets, and had no sense of fear. He is buried at Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas-de-Calais, France. Grave Ref: I. K. 85. His name does not appear on the Mells War Memorial.