No.6640, Lance Corporal, Frank Horace MORTON
Aged 30
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Born in Wisbech in 1884 (2nd qtr Wisbech 3b:636) son of Richard and Emma MORTON (née PAINTER)
1891 census...Aged 6, he was at 2 Henry Street, Wisbech St Peter with his father Richard C MORTON [30] carpenter born Wisbech; his mother Emma E [27] born Westb Newton, Norfolk; sister Hilda M [10] born Tilney St Lawrence. 1901 census...Aged 16, a carpenter's apprentice, he was still at 2 Henry Street with his parents. He married Ada MAWBY [25-3-1883] in Holbeach in 1910. 1911 census...Not found in this census. Their son Richard was born 18-9-1910 in Wisbech. They moved to Bury St.Edmunds between the birth of Dorothy (1912 and Phyllis (1914). Frank and Ada went on to have 2 daughters, Dorothy [10-12-1911] born Wisbech and Phyllis [24-10-1914] born in Bury St Edmunds. He is entered as a postman in the 1912 British Postal Service Appointment Book. In 1914 they were at 102 Fornham Road, Bury St.Edmunds. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.
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