Francis William Tyler

Francis (Frank) William was the eldest son of William and Kate Tyler (née Smith). His father William was born in Northumberland on 30 July 1874 and his mother Kate in Radford, Nottingham, on 3 April 1874. They were married at Radford St Peter on 6 January 1894 (J/F/M Nottingham) and had four sons: Francis William b. Hyson Green 1896 (A/M/H Nottingham), Arthur b. Hyson Green 18 December 1897 (birth registered 1898 J/F/M Nottingham), William b. 13 June 1889 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Albert b. 17 October 1901 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1901 William (26), a coal merchant, and Kate (26) were living at 97 Bridlington Street, Nottingham, with their three sons, Francis (4), Arthur (3) and William (1). Also in the household was William's widowed father, Joseph Goodall Tyler (63), a carter, and his brother Harry (13) a coal merchant's boy. The family had moved to 17 Hospital Terrace, Leeming Lane, Mansfield by 1911. William was now working as a coal miner hewer, Francis (14) was a pit boy (tub counter) and Arthur (13) a baker's errand boy while William (11) and Albert (9) were at school. Joseph Tyler, now retired (OAP), was still living with them. William's parents were still living at the same address when he was killed in August 1917 although the later CWGC record gives their address as Crow Hill Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse. William was engaged to Cissie when he died. William, a retired dairyman, and Kate were living at 7 Woodhouse, York Street, Mansfield Woodhouse when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. Also in the home was their married son William, a turf commercial agent. Kate probably died in 1952 (O/N/D Mansfield) and William snr. in 1957 (J/F/M Mansfield). Their son William died in 1973 (J/F/M Mansfield). Arthur married Florence M Copestake (b. 5 December 1899) in 1921 (O/N/D Mansfield). In 1939 he and his wife with their son Francis W. (b. 5 October 1922), a grocer's assistant, were living at 9 Meden Road, Mansfield Woodhouse; Arthur was a miner packer (below ground). He probably died in 1959 (A/M/J Mansfield). Albert probably married Gladys M Hill (b. 25 March 1903) in 1926 (J/F/M Mansfield) and was a fish & chip dealer (own account), living at 174 Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, with his wife in 1939.

William was a pit boy (tub counter) in 1911.

17 Hospital Terrace Leeming Lane Mansfield. Enlisted Mansfield.

V/34th Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Gunner Francis William Tyler died in hospital on 22 August 1917 of wounds he sustained the same day when his gun blew up. He was buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery (grave ref. I.D.14). Francis qualifieid for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'At rest with the Lord' 'In memoriam' notices published 22nd August 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “TYLER. – In loving memory of our dear son Frank, who died from his wounds received the same day, August 22nd, 1917, aged 21 years. Gone from our home, but never from our hearts.” “TYLER. – In loving memory of Gunner F. W. Tyler, of Mansfield Woodhouse, who died of wounds August 22nd, 1917. Memory like ivy clings. – Cissie.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Mansfield Reporter, ‘Roll of Honour’, 7 September 1917: Tyler. Died of wounds, August 22nd, Francis William (Frank) aged 21, dearly loved son of William and Kate Tyler of Mansfield Woodhouse. ‘A bitter blow, a shock severe, To part with one we loved so dear.’ From the sorrowing Family and Fiancée Cissie.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Roll of Honour’, 7 September 1917: Mr and Mrs W Tyler wish to thank all friends for kind sympathy in the sad loss of their son. 17, Hospital Terrace, Mansfield Woodhouse.’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 28 September 1917, article with photograph: ‘Mansfield Woodhouse Gunner’s Death. Gunner Francis W Tyler.' 'The sad intelligence conveying the death of Francis William Tyler, 24th Division, RFA, Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, was received by the parents last month in a letter from Captain R Filkins, as follows:- 'Dear Madam, It is with the deepest regret that I have to report the death of your son. He was badly wounded yesterday when his gun blew up, and died in hospital a few hours later. All the men and officers in the battery, including myself, wish you to accept our deepest sympathy. He was a man of great spirit, and was liked awfully by all men and officers. We buried him today in a village quite close, and I am erecting a cross, and will see that his grave is attended to. Anything more you wish to know I shall be only too pleased to answer.' 'The deceased soldier’s mother lives at Hospital-terrace, Mansfield Woodhouse. Tyler was aged 21 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Kate was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: both parents were named.