Frank Bowd

Frank Bowd

Frank was born in St Ives in September 1893. It's uncertain what happened to his parents. In 1901, aged 7yrs, he was boarding with Sarah Hodge, a charwoman, and her two daughters at Chapel Street, St Ives. Frank was still lodging with Sarah in 1911. By then she had adopted Frank. They had moved to Wellington Lane, St Ives. He clearly regarded Sarah and her daughters as family. The Army Register of Soldier's Effects shows his final payments from the Army were made to Mrs Ruth Haslop,  Sarah's daughter.

Frank enlisted in Southall with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (London Battalion). At some point he was promoted to Corporal. The Royal Fusiliers were in the thick of battle on the Western Front from 1914 onwards. At 3.45am on 3 May 1917 in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, an attack was launched in an effort to reach the Wotan Line, a key German defensive position. The attempt ended in total failure with very high casualties.

British soldiers preparing to attack

Frank was one of those missing, presumed killed in action. He was 23yrs old. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Arras Memorial, France. The few small territorial gains were soon lost to a German counter-attack.

Do you have a photograph of Frank or any additional information? If so, please get in touch via the make contact page.

Source documents
Click any of the links below to view original source materials
1901 Census
1911 Census
Medal Rolls Index Card
Army Register of Soldier's Effects
Commonwealth War Graves Register
Commemorative Certificate