Francis Albert Shipman

Francis Albert Shipman, known as Frank, was born in 1895 the son of Alfred and Hilda Ann Shipman (née Deakin). His father Alfred was born 1864 at Cowpit, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, the son of William and Eliza Shipman. His mother Hilda Ann was born in Marchington Woodlands, Staffordshire, in 1862 (A/M/J Uttoxeter, Dakin). They were married at Nottingham St Matthew on 27 February 1890 and had three children who were all born in Nottingham: Amelia b. 16 December 1890 (reg. 1891 J/F/M) bap. Meadows St Saviour 1 February 1891; John Gurney b. 8 November 1893 bap. Meadows St George 10 December 1893 and Francis Albert b. 1895 (J/A/S Nottingham) bap. St George 15 September 1895. In 1891 Arthur (27), a guard for the Midland Railway, and Hilda (28) were living on Watt Street, Nottingham, with their daughter Amelia (3m). The baptismal records of their three children (1891-1895) gave their address as 11 Watt Street. By 1901 Alfred, a railway goods guard, and Hilda were living at 67 Middle Furlong Street, Meadows, with their three children; Amelia, John (7) and Francis (5). The family was recorded living at 53 Woodward Street, Meadows, in 1911. Alfred was a railway inspector and all three children were in work; Amelia a dressmaker, John an apprentice mechanic and Francis an apprentice butcher. Francis' parents were still living at the same address when his father died on 21 April 1927. His mother Hilda died on 19 April 1947; she was living with her married daughter, Amelia Hickling, in Cotgrave. Alfred and Hilda were buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. Of Alfred's siblings: John Gurney served in the Sherwood Foresters in the war (265586 Lance Corporal). He attested on 16 September 1914 aged 20y 11m, occupation fitter (engineer). He served at home from 16 September 1914-27 February 1915 (165d), France 28 February 1915-9 September 1915 (194d), Home 10 September 1915-26 February 1917 (2y 108d) a total of 3y 102d. On 4 September 1915 he was wounded when hit by a rifle bullet in the left side of his chest while digging a trench. He was treated initially at 46 Field Ambulance Station and then on 5 September at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Treport. John was transferred to a hospital ship on 9 September 1915 and on arrival in the UK admitted to the Military Hospital Bagthorpe, Nottingham. He was in hospital until 23 December 1915 then served at home, including Ireland, until 29 September 1917 when he was discharged from the army as no longer physically fit for war service. John married Lilian Emma MacKenzie (b. 24 February 1896) in 1924 (J/A/S Nottingham) and they had at least two children: Jean b. 21 October 1926 (later Marriott) and Frank Shipman b. 30 August 1930 (d. 2000). In 1939 the family was living on Laurie Avenue, Nottingham; John was a factory fitter millwright (maintenance). He died in 1975. Amelia married Alfred WT Hickling (b. 14 October 1887) in 1919 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1939 they were living on Scrimshire Lane, Cotgrave; Alfred was a cabinet maker and also a member of Cotgrave Observer Corps. Also in the household was Amelia's widowed mother, Hilda. The record of another member of the household remains closed. Amelia died on 15 January 1969.

In 1911 Frank was an apprentice butcher, employer Mr Bentley.

Served as Frank Shipman. Francis Albert enlisted in Nottingham in 1914 and served with the 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters. He served with the BEF France from 28 February 1915. Francis received gun shot wounds to the right leg and foot on 4 July 1916 and died of his wounds on 11 July 1916. He was probably treated in one of the military hospitals in Treport as he was buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery (grave ref. 2.L.4b). Francis' brother John, who also served with the Sherwood Foresters, was seriously wounded on 4 September 1915 and treated at No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Treport, before being evacuated to the UK. CWGC - Le Treport Military Cemetery (extract): 'During the First World War, Le Treport was an important hospital centre. No.3 General Hospital was established there in November 1914, No.16 General Hospital in February 1915, No.2 Canadian General Hospital in March 1915, No.3 Convalescent Depot in June 1915 and Lady Murray's B.R.C.S. Hospital in July 1916. These hospitals contained nearly 10,000 beds. No.47 General Hospital arrived in March 1917.'

CWGC and military records give date of death 11 July 1916 - family notices in the local paper 10 July 1916. Frank's birth was registered J/A/S/1895 so may have been 21 years old when he died. Francis Shipman compared the shelling and star-shells fired at night to fireworks in the Nottingham Arboretum in extracts from a letter published 30th April 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post. ‘A FINE SIGHT. 'Sherwood Forester who Likens Artillery Battle to Arboretum Fireworks Display. The following interesting letter from Private F. Shipman, of the Sherwood Foresters, has been received by Mr. Albert Baldock, steward of the Gladstone Liberal Club, by whose courtesy we publish it. Private Shipman before joining the Army, soon after the outbreak of war, was employed by Mr. Bentley, a Nottingham butcher. The letter, after mentioning the fact that the weather “is lovely,” proceeds: 'We are now at a rest station, about five miles from the firing line, and we stay here for four days. We came out of the support barn last Sunday night, after being there for five days. We should have been there four days properly, but there was a British attack on our left and we had to go in support. We were not wanted as it happened. My word, it was a fine sightseeing the shells bursting and lights going up. It reminded me of the fireworks at the Arboreturm, more or less. 'When we are in support we go up to the trenches every night with rations and coke and wood and it is rather dangerous, especially if they see you when the lights go up. We go in the trenches to-morrow night, all being well; but they might alter it to Friday or Saturday night with us being in the supports for five days. 'When we are in the trenches at night we are on the lookout every hour in three, so you see we do not get much sleep at night. We all “stand to” at sunset and daybreak, as that is the time the Germans make an attack. 'I should say you find Nottingham quiet now nearly all the soldiers have gone.' Above article icourtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’ 10 July 1917: ‘Shipman. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Frank, died of wounds July 10th, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. Mother, father, sister, and brother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’ 10 July 1917: ‘Shipman. In loving memory of Corporal F Shipman, Sherwood Forester, died of wounds July 10th, 1916. A noble life laid down. May’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, In Memoriam’, 11 July 1917: ‘Shipman. To the memory of my dear chum, Corpl. F Shipman, who died of wounds July 10th, 1916. To memory ever dear. Charlie (Grand Fleet).' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 22 April 1947: ’Shipman, On April 19th, at Cotgrave, Hilda Ann, beloved wife of the late Alfred, and mother of Jack [John] and Millie [Amelia] passed peacefully away in her 85th year. Service Cotgrave Church, 11.00. Interment Rock Cemetery, 12 noon, Wednesday. At rest.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)