203936 PTE. F. BRADLEY. K.L.R.

 

Frank Bradley was born in the first quarter of 1898 in Pemberton, near Wigan.  His father was Frederick Bradley (b. 1872 in Wigan), a railway engine cleaner.  His mother was Mary Hughes (b. 1871 in Pemberton).  Frederick and Mary were married in 1897 and Frank was their first child.  He was followed by Frederick (b. 1900), Evelyn (b. 1903), Alfred (b. 1905), Edna (b. 1909) and Maud (b. 1911).  They also lost one child in infancy.  The family moved to Lostock Hall in about 1905 and Frederick worked in the loco sheds for the Lancs and Yorks Railway.  In 1911, they lived at 8 Carrington Terrace, Lostock Hall, and Frank was a sweeper in a cotton mill.

 

Frank would have turned 18 in the early part of 1916, just before conscription was introduced.  He enlisted with the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) and was posted to 2/5 Battalion, with service number 203936.  His records indicate he was a bugler.  2/5Bn came under orders of 171st Brigade in 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.  In June and July 1917, 57th Division was in and out of trenches near Armentières on the France/Belgium border.  They were regularly shelled by enemy artillery (including from July the new mustard gas) and also engaged in raids on enemy trenches.  It’s not possible to determine what circumstances led to the wounds from which Frank died but it appears he was wounded in the trenches and evacuated to a military hospital at Le Tréport, on the French coast north of Dieppe.  He died on 4 August 1917.  He was 19 years old.

 

Rank:  Bugler

Service No:  203936

Date of Death:  04/08/1917

Age:  19

Regiment/Service:  The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 5th Bn.

Grave Reference:  III. A. 5A.

Cemetery:  MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT

Additional Information:  Son of F. and Mary Bradley, of 7 Prospect View, Lostock Hall, Preston. Native of Wigan.

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