Frank Ewart Brindley

Frank Ewart was the son of Oliver and Ellen Brindley née Howard. Oliver Brindley was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, in 1862 (O/N/D Wolverhampton), the son of Charles and Anna Maria (née Green). He was baptised in Wolverhampton on 23 November 1862. In 1881 he was working as a locksmith and living with his parents and five siblings at 'The Retreat', Retreat Street, Wolverhampton. Ellen Howard was born Wolverhampton on 29 July 1864 (J/A/S Wolverhampton), the daughter of Enoch and Jane (née Howard). She was baptised in Wolverhampton on 11 September 1864. Oliver and Ellen were married in 1881 (J/A/S Wolverhampton) and had at least five children of whom two died in infancy: Oliver Howard b. 25 October 1883 (O/N/D Leeds) bap. Kirkstall parish church 16 July 1884, Harold b. 1887 (J/A/S Leeds) d. 1888 (J/A/S Leeds) aged 1 year, Eveline b. 1889 (J/A/S Leeds) d. 1890 (J/A/S Leeds) aged 1 year, Frank Ewart birth registered 1892 (J/F/M Leeds) and Florence Howard b. 1894 (J/A/S Leeds). All the children were born in Leeds. Oliver and Ellen were living in Burley, Leeds, when their son Oliver was baptised in 1884. but by 1891 Oliver (28) a lock manufacturer, and Ellen (26) were living on Meanwood Road, Leeds, with their two children Oliver (7) and Eveline (1). Also in the household was Oliver's niece, Emily Grosvenor (20, b. Wolverhampton) a confectioner's assistant. The family has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census but Oliver snr. died around this time as his widow Ellen married secondly Charles Lacey (b. 11 November 1872), marriage registered 1904 (J/F/M Mansfield). Charles Lacey and Ellen had at least three children: Charles Howard b. 16 May 1904 (A/M/J Mansfield), and Henry (Harry) b. 1906 (J/A/S Mansfield) who were both born in Warsop, and Clara b. 1910 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1911 Charles (41 b. Uxbridge Middx), a colliery clerk, and Ellen (47) were living at 44 Clipstone Road, Forest Town, Mansfield. In the home on the night of the census were Ellen's three surviving children by her first marriage - Oliver (26) and Frank listed as Francis (19) who were both coal miner hewers and Florence (16) - and her two children by her second marriage, Charles (6) and Harry (4). A third child, Clara, was born later that year. Frank Ewart married Beatrice Acton at St John's church, Mansfield, on 12 January 1918 (J/F/M Mansfield). His widow's address was given on the Medal Roll Index Card and in the local paper as 50 Clumber Street, Mansfield, which may have been her parents' address. However, the probate record gives Frank's address as 'Ashleigh' Barn Lane, Mansfield, and the later CWGC record gives his widow's address as Warwick Villas, Little Barn Lane, Mansfield. Beatrice married Charles Turner in 1924 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled, Ellen and her husband Charles, who was now retired, were living at 'Birchwood', off Eakring Road, Mansfield. Ellen probably died in 1942 (A/M/J Mansfield). Frank's brother, Oliver, joined the Royal Navy on 19 April 1899 as a Boy 2nd Class, entering on a 12 year continuous service engagement on his eighteenth birthday, 25 October 1901. He was discharged shore by purchase on 24 July 1909 and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 25 July 1909. He was mobilized on 2 August 1914 as a Leading Seaman and was probably still serving in December 1918. Oliver married Laura Beech (b. 16 November 1891) in 1913 (J/A/S Mansfield); they may have had four children: Oliver F. b. 1920 (O/N/D Mansfield-Beech), Laurence H . b. 1923 (J/A/S Mansfield-Beech), Laura MC birth registered 1925 (J/F/M Mansfield-Beech) and Barbara D. birth registered 1926 (J/F/M Mansfiel-Beech). In 1939 Oliver, a coal mine road maker contractor, and Laura, a grocery provision and cafe proprietor, were living at 76 High Street (shop premises), Southwell. Oliver died in 1969 (A/M/J Mansfield).

In 1911 he was a coal miner hewer and was working at Mansfield colliery when he enlisted in 1914.

Frank enlisted in 1914 and served first with the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (4662/201703 Private, later Lance-Corporal). He served in Ireland during the uprising then served in France from 3 February 1917. He was gazetted in 1917 and attached to the North Staffordshire Regiment. Following officer training he joined his regiment in France in April 1918. Frank died of wounds received in action at No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery (grave ref. V.D.20). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Life's race well run his duty nobly done forever with t he Lord.' Mansfield Reporter, ‘Marriages’, 18 January 1918: ‘Brindley-Acton. On the 12th inst., at St John’s Church, by the Rev. W Bathurst Soole, Second-Lieut. Frank Ewart Brindley of the 6th North Staffords. Regiment, to Beatrice Action, youngest daughter of Mr & Mrs Acton, Clumber-street, Mansfield.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 18 October 1918: ‘Mansfield Officer Killed. We regret to announce the death of 2nd-Lieut. Frank Ewart Brindley of Mansfield, which occurred as the result of wounds, at the No. 12 Causualty Clearing Station, France, on the 4th, inst. He was attached to the North Staffordshire Regiment. It was in September, 1914, that he enlisted, going from the Mansfield Colliery with 85 other volunteers. He went to Newark for training with the 8th Sherwoods, and later was in Ireland during the rebellion. In the February following he crossed to France, and was promoted on the battlefield and offered a commission. He was home in June of last year, going to Lichfield for his training as an officer, and went out again to France in April of this year, and had not had leave since.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Acknowledgements’, 18 October 1918: ‘Mrs FE Brindley, Mr and Mrs C Lacey and family, desire to thank their many friends for kind messages of sympathy sent to them in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchjive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 October 1919: ‘Brindley. In ever-loving memory of my dear son, Second-Lieut. FE Brindley 6th Battalion North Staffs. Regt., 46 Division, who died of wounds, October 4th, 1918. Dearly loved and so sadly missed. His loving mother, father and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 October 1919: ‘Brindley. In fond remembrance of my dear husband, Second-Lieut. Frank E Brindley, 6th Battn, Nortth Staffs. Regt. who died of wounds, on October 4th, 1918. One of the noblest, one of the best, Who now is sleeping with the rest, In our heavenly Father’s keeping. His loving wife, 50, Clumber-street Mansfield.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In Memoriam' notices were also published in the Mansfield Reporter on 8 October 1920 (wife and mother) and 7 October 1921 (wife). Probate: Brindley Frank Ewart of Ashleigh Barn-lane Mansfield Nottinghamshire died 14 (sic) October 1918 at No 12 Casualty Clearing Station France probate Nottingham 10 August to Charles Lacey [step-father] colliery clerk. Effects £76 10s. 6d.