Frank Wagstaff

He was the son of George and Annie Wagstaff. George and Annie (nee Smith) were married in Nottingham in 1874 (Oct/Nov/Dec). They had at least seven children; Annie (b. Nottingham), Henry/Harry (b. Nottingham), Walter (b. Chapeltown, Yorkshire), Frederick/Fred (b. Sneinton), Charles (b. Sneinton), Clara (b. Radford) and Frank. Frank's sister, Annie, was identified from a list of Frank's living relatives which his married sister, Clara Wood, completed for the Army in 1919; she included another married sister, Annie Faulkner (45), who lived in Shirebrook. Annie was not recorded in the family home on any of the census between 1881 and 1901 and it is likely that she is the Annie Wagstaff who on the 1881 and 1891 census was living with her grandparents, Matthew and Mary Wagstaff, in Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. Annie Wagstaff married Cornelius Faulkner in Nottingham in 1898 (Apr/May/June) and in 1901 they were living in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, with their son, Charles (2). By 1919 they were living in Shirebrook. In 1881 George, a bobbin and carriage maker, and Annie were living at 11 Rose Yard, Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, with their two sons, Henry (5) and Walter (2). By 1891 they were living at 43 Ossington Street, Radford, with their six youngest children, Harry, Walter, Fred (9), Charles (7), Clara (3) and Frank (1). In 1901 they were living at 26 Beaconsfield Street, Radford; only three of their children were at home on the night of the census; Charles, Clara and Frank. Frank's brother, Walter, probably died in 1898 (Oct/Nov/Dec) aged 20, his father, George Wagstaff, died on 15 October 1903 aged 47 and his mother, Annie, in 1904 (Oct/Nov/Dec) aged 47. Frank joined the Army in 1906. Frank's sister, Clara, married Charles Henry Wood, a lace maker, in 1908 (Oct/Nov/Dec). In 1911 they were living at 50 Lyndhurst Road, Sneinton Dale; they had had one child who had died. Visiting them on the night of the census was Clara's niece, Annie Elizabeth Wagstaff (4). Frank's brother, Charles, who was a steel hardener for a telephone manufacturer, was also married by 1911. He and his wife of five years, Minnie, and their children George (5), Charles Leonard (2) and Hilda Clara (1 month), were living at 23 Trafalgar Road, Beeston. Details of Frank's living relatives from information provided by his sister, Clara, in 1919: Brothers, Harry Wagstaff (44), 45 Maples Street, Nottingham; Charles Wagstaff (35), 23 Trafalgar Road, Beeston; Fred Wagstaff (39), 12 Ireton Cottages, (-) Street, Nottingham. Sisters, Annie Faulkner (45), 78 Market Street, Shirebrook; Clara Wood (33), 278 Alfreton Road, Nottingham.

He was employed in the lace trade before he joined the Sherwood Foresters on 1 August 1906. He served with the regiment until his death in 1915.

He enlisted in Nottingham.

Frank joined the Sherwood Foresters on 1 August 1906 at the age of 19. He served at home from August 1906 until 6 January 1908. During his service both in Britain and abroad he suffered several minor injuries and ailments but in 1907 a Court of Enquiry was held following an incident when he was on fatigues as a result of which he suffered potentially serious injury. His service papers are damaged but it is possible to get a picture of events from the details on Army Form B117 'Report of wounds or injuries except on wounds received in action' and other related documents. Frank was admitted to hospital on 20 August 1907 suffering from 'right ingurical hernia, the disability is of a serious nature and in all probability will interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier.' The form was signed by WR Galway Lieut RAMC (MO i/c), Spike Island, 11 September 1907. Army Form A.2 ‘Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry assembled at Spike Island on the 12th September 1907. By order of Colonel FC Shaw, Commanding 2nd Bn, The Sherwood Foresters, for the purpose of enquiring into the circumstances under which No 10101 Pte F Wagstaff, C Coy, 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters, sustained an injury. President Captain GF de Pledge, 2nd SF, Member 2/Lt RC Simpson, 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters. Evidence included a statement by 10101 Pte F Wagstaff, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, who stated, 'I was on fatigue at Queenstown on the 20th August (-) bar and I was working the crane, which was very stiff. I reported it to an NCO of the Army Ordnance Corps who was superintending and he oiled it. (-) I felt a good deal of pain but continued working and reported sick next morning, and the doctor told me I had ruptured myself. I have been attending hospital since and I have now consented to be operated on for a rupture. I was operated on for rupture before I entered the Army about 1 year and 8 months ago and have only had occasion to report sick in connection with it at Kinsale in January of this year. It was very (-) at the time and I was relieved. It gave me no trouble between January and when my last accident occurred.’ A report was given by a second witness but it was noted by the Court that no further evidence was obtainable. The report was signed by the President and Member, Spike Island, Queenstown, on 12th September 1907. The 'Opinion' given by the Colonel, 'In my opinion the injury to Pte Wagstaff was the result (-), during the performance [of his duty] through no fault of his own. I recommend the remission of (-) hospital stoppages.' Document noted ‘Approved’. He served at home until 6 January 1908 and then served with the regiment in India from 7 January 1908, returning to England on 12 September 1914. He served at home until being drafted to France to France on 4 November. He was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 12 December 1914 and appointed lance corporal on 25 January 1915. He was killed in action less than three months after disembarking in France and is buried in Rue-Des-Berceaux Military Cemetery Richebourg-L'Avoque (grave ref. II. F. 27). He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 19 February 1915: ‘Wagstaff. Killed in action January 31st, Lance Corporal F Wagstaff, 1st Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of the late George and Annie Wagstaff.’ Frank's will was made in favour of his sister, Clara Wood, who was his sole legatee. However, a modest payment was also made to his other sister, Annie Faulkner. Frank's personal property was returned to his sister, Clara, and comprised: 1 testament, identity disc, Xmas card, post cards. Probate: 'Wagstaff George [father] of 26 Beaconsfield-terrace Harlaxton-street Nottingham bobbin and carriage-maker died 15 October 1903 Probate Nottingham 26 October to Thomas Wagstaff lace-maker Effects £125 1s 2d.'