Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Frank William was born in Kinver, Staffordshire on 25 September 1894, to parents Thomas and Mary Ann (Whittaker) Fox.

On the 1901 census Frank William (7) was living at 41 High Street North, Kinver with his parents and siblings Thomas (9), Frederick Austin (8) and Clarrisa Gwendoline (4).  His father was a licenced victualler.

Frank’s father died in 1904 (aged 33) and his mother re-married in 1906 to James Vale and on the 1911 Census Frank is living with Aunt Annie Louise Fox at Colley Lane, Cradley, Cradley Heath and working as butcher.  His siblings Thomas and Frederick are also living there. He also has a younger brother, Harold, aged 4 who is living with his mother in Stourbridge.

He enlisted with the Horse Transport section of the Army Service Corps in 1915, and in early 1916 he was serving in Egypt – Alexandria and Salonica.  He was discharged on 18 June 1919 and was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Frank passed through Peterborough East Station on 6 December 1916 and wrote in the visitors’ book “Many thanks for refreshment and
kindness shown at Peterboro station”.

Frank died on 8 September 1949, aged 54 whilst at home at 59 Dads Lane, Kings Heath, Birmingham.  No record of a marriage has been found.

Can you tell us more about Frank and his family?  Please get in touch if you can help.