Frank Ernest Edney

He was the son of Joseph and Jane Edney of 9 Eckington Terrace, Glapton Road, Nottingham (CWGC). At the time of the 1901 census Joseph (42) and his wife, Jane (43) were living at 18 Berlin Terrace, Nottingham, with their children, Percy (17), Lilian (16), Harold (14), Philip (11), Frank (8) and Bruce (5). In the 1911 census Frank is listed in the return by the 45th Regimental District, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, Normanton (Barracks), Derby: 'Frank Ernest Edney, private, single, 18, Infantry Line recruit, born Nottingham.' The obituary placed in the local paper in November 1917 gives his parent's address as 3 Eckington Terrace.

1911 - regular soldier

He enlisted in Nottingham.

11582 Private Frank Ernest Edney enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) in March 1911. After recruit training at Normanton Barracks in Derby, he was posted to the 1st battalion, stationed in India. On the outbreak of war the battalion returned from India to England, arriving in October 1914. After retraining and refitting, the battalion arrived in France on 4 November 1914. Frank's papers did not survive but the obituary placed in the local paper describes him as a 'medical officers' orderly'. It is likely that he fought at Neuve Chapelle and Aubers in 1915, The Somme in 1916 and Third Ypres in 1917. He died whilst the battalion held the line just north of Passchendaele (Passendale). The battalion history states "Theoretically the Battle of Ypres was over some ten days of more, but fighting and death did not sensibly diminish" By this time the battlefield had been swept by shell fire for some 5 months and all was deep mud and water filled holes. Conditions were indescribable and Frank was one of three men to die on 23 November 1917. None of the men have a known grave and are commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged), 30 November 1917: 'Edney. Killed by shell November 23rd 1917, Frank Ernest Edney, medical officers' orderly, Sherwood Foresters, fourth son of Mr and Mrs Edney, 3 Eckington Terrace, age 24. Father, mother, brothers, sisters, brother Philip.' In memoriam published 24th November 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “EDNEY. – In loving memory of Frank Ernest, 1st Sherwoods, who fell November 23rd, 1917, at Passchendaele. Ever in our thoughts. – Mam and Dad. “EDNEY. – In loving memory of Pte. Frank Ernest Edney, killed in action November 23rd, 1917. Fondly remembered. – Brother Philip and Mabel.” In memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918