Frederick Francis Widdowson

Frederick Francis (Frank) was the second son of Frederick and Fanny Widdowson (née Smith). His father Frederick was born at Bobbers Mill, Basford, in 1869, the son of Francis and Harriet Widdowson. His mother Fanny Smith was born at Carlton in about 1867. They were married at Basford Register Office in 1890 and had five children, two of whom died before 1911: Walter Smith b. 1890 d. 1903, Ada b. 1892 (reg. 1893), Florence b. 1895, Frederick Francis (Frank) b. 1897 and Ethel Mary b. 1900 d. 1901. All the children were born in Carrington. Frederick (22), a lace maker, his wife and son Walter (9m) were living at Church Drive, Carrington, in 1891 in the home of Frederick's brother, William, also a lace maker, and his family. By 1901 Frederick and Fanny (34) with their five children Walter (10), Ada (7), Florence (6), Frank (4) and Ethel (1), were living at 5 Toronto Terrace, Church Drive, Carrington. The youngest child Ethel died in September the same year, Frederick snr. in March 1902 and Walter, the eldest son, in September 1903 aged 12. Fanny, a ladies' help, Ada and Florence, both in the lace trade, and Frank were still at 5 Toronto Terrace in 1911. However, Fanny and her daughters were living at 30 Sherbrooke Road, Carrington, when Frank's death was confirmed in 1917. Fanny and her unmarried daughter, Ada, who was still employed in the lace trade, were living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Fanny died in 1946.

1911 - school

Enlisted Nottingham

1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Formerly 4600. Frank served with the BEF France after 1915. He was reported missing after the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, but his death was not confirmed until June the following year. Frank has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Frank's father, Frederick Widdowson, had an older brother William whose son George Francis served with the Machine Gun Corps (13856) and died of wounds on 8 October 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 16 June 1917. 'Widdowson. Missing July 1st 1916, now reported killed, Private FF Widdowson, Sherwood Foresters, only son of Mrs and the late F Widdowson of 30 Sherbrooke Road, Carrington, aged 19. Mother, sisters.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Fanny was his sole legatee.