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.

Battle of Arras
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.

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