Frank was born in 1892 the son of Frederick Henry Thorpe and Clara Thorpe formerly Ledger nee Daykin.
Frank had older three siblings, Clara (b.1886), Harry (b. 1887) and Evangeline (b.1891), a half-sister, Eliza Ledger (b. 1877), and a half-brother, William Ledger (b. 1881).
Frank's mother, Clara, had married William Joseph Ledger (b. 1853, Oxton), a lace maker, in 1876. They had three children; Clara (b. 1877), Joseph William (b. 1879) and William (b. 1881, birth registered O/N/D). In 1881 they were living at 12 Alison Rise, St Ann's, Nottingham; in the household on the night of the census was their son, Joseph William (1), and Clara's parents, Joseph and Eliza Dakin. Clara's husband died in 1881 (O/N/D) aged 28. Their second child, Joseph William, died the following year in 1882 (death registered J/A/S) aged 3.
The widowed Clara married Frederick Henry Thorpe in 1885 (J/A/S). Frederick had been born in Lincolnshire in 1858, Clara was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (abt. 1856).
In 1891 they were living at 21 Westminster Street, St Ann's, Nottingham. Frederick (32) was a van driver. In the home were Clara's two children by her first marriage, Eliza (13) and William (9), together with her two children by Frederick, Clara (5) and Harry (3).
Frederick and Clara were still living at the same address ten years later in 1901. Frederick was now working as a general dealer. In the home on the night of the census were Clara (15) a lace finisher, Harry (13), Evangeline (9) and Frank (8). Eliza Ledger (23) was still living with her mother and stepfather but William appears to have left home and may well have married.
The family was still living at the same address in 1911 and all four of Frederick and Clara's children were still at home; Clara (25), Harry (23) a warehouse clerk, Evangeline (19) a shop assistant, and Frank (18) a market stall holder. Clara's daughter, Eliza, had now left home and may well have married (Grange).
Frank's older brother, Harry, married Florence Mabel Bartle on 9 November 1913 and they had a son, Donald Kenneth on 5 July 1914. Harry attested on 27 November 1915 and was mobilized on 31 May 1916. He also served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (6203 Bombardier) and served in France from 6 December 1916. He was evacuated to England in January 1917 and died in Fulham Military Hospital on 10 April 1917 ('spinal fever'). He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 14 April.
Frank died of wounds two months later on 9 June 1917 and his father, Frederick, died on 29 October 1917, just four months after his youngest son's death.
When Clara Thorpe completed the form in 1919 she was still living at 21 Westminster Street. William Ledger (37) was living near Eastwood, Nottingham, and Eliza Grange nee Ledger (41) was living at 365 St Ann's Well Road, Clara Holmes nee Thorpe was living on Harlaxton Drive, Lenton, Nottingham, and Evangeline Ward nee Thorpe, was living at 47 Thornton Road, Bootle, Liverpool.
Clara died in 1935 (December, Nottingham registration district) aged 79.