Frank Wood

Frank was the son of Walter George and Eliza Ann Wood (née Gell). His father Walter George was born in Ripley, Derbyshire, in about 1872 and his mother Eliza Ann Gell was born in Nottingham (birth registered 1868 J/F/M Nottingham). They were married at St Saviour's church, Meadows, Nottingham, on 4 October 1890 (O/N/D Nottingham) and had seven children of whom only four survived infancy: Walter George b. 1891 (J/A/S Nottingham) bap. St Saviour 30 September 1891, Frank b. 1897 (J/A/S Nottingham), Mary b. 1899 (O/N/D Nottingham) and Florence b. 1904 (J/A/S Nottingham). It is likely that one of the three children who did not survive infancy was William who was born in 1910 (J/A/S Nottingham-Gell) but died the same year (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1891 Walter (29), a coal miner hewer, and Eliza (23) were living at Hague Cottages, Orange Street, Nottingham, and were still living at the same address when their son Walter George was baptised at St. Saviour's in the September. Walter snr. has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but his wife Eliza, a lace hand, and their three children, Walter (9), Frank (3) and Mary (1) were living at 21 Clare Street, Nottingham. Also in the household were two lodgers, Mary Trevor (38 b. London) single a hosiery turner, and Mary A Trevor (81 b. Manchester) single. By 1911 Walter and Eliza were living at 48 Milk Square, Milk Street, off Glasshouse Street, Nottingham. Walter was still working as a coal miner. Their four surviving children were living at home: Walter George, who was in work, and Frank, Mary and Florence who were at school. Frank was working for William Allen of London Road, Meadows, when he enlisted. The family home was at Brussels Terrace, Bunbury Street, Meadows, when Frank was killed in 1916. Eliza Ann probably died in 1920 (A/M/J Nottingham); the CWGC record only names Frank's father: 'Son of Mr WG Wood'.

He was employed by the company of William Allen, London Road, Meadows.

Enlisted Nottingham

Rfn. Frank Wood, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, was killed in action on 3rd March 1916. He was buried in Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref. II.H.22),

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 15 May 1916: ‘Wood. Killed, March 3rd, 1916, Rifleman Frank Wood, 3rd King’s Royal Rifles. How we miss him none can tell. Nobly he did his duty. From some of the work-girls of William Allen, London-road.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 15 May 1916: ‘Wood. Killed at his post, March 3rd, Rifleman Frank Wood, the loving son of Mr and Mrs WG Wood, Brussels-terrace, Bunbury-street, aged 18 years. We speak of him in silence; his name we often call; there is nothing left to answer now but his photo on the wall. Sadly missed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) In memoriam published 2nd March 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “WOOD. – In loving memory of our dear son Frank, killed in action March 3rd, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. – From sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brother in France.” Above in memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Eliza Ann Wood, was his sole legatee WW1 Pension Ledgers: Parents, Walter George and Eliza Ann Wood