FRANK, William Stanley


No.12/107, Private, William Stanley FRANK
Aged 38


3rd Coy, Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
formerly South African Light Horse
Died of his Wounds on Sunday, 25th April 1915


Queen's South Africa Medal

William Stanley Frank was born on 26th November 1876 in Finchley (Barnet Q1-1877 3A:179), son of William and Laura Emily FRANK (née GOOCH).
He was admitted to Stoke by Clare National/Voluntary School in April 1879.

1881 census...Aged 4 he was at Uplands, Winchmore Hill. Edmonton with his father William FRANK [26] African merchant and commission agent born Brixton, Surrey; his mother Laura E [24] born Bow, Middlesex; sister Ethel E.M. [2] born Finchley; brother Leslie E [1] born Southgate; uncle Harry [17] commercial oil broker's clerk born Brixton

1891 census...Aged 14, he was at 21 Holmsdale Gardens, Holy Trinity, Hastings at school (John STEWARD -Head).

1901 census...Aged 24 he was in South Africa with the South African Light Horse. His parents were in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, father an export commission agent.

He emigrated to New Zealand in 1908.

1911 census...Aged 34, he was in New Zealand His parents ( father now retired) were at "Laddenvean", nr Station, Stoke by Clare.


He enlisted in Auckland on 12th August 1914, giving his age as 34 years 9 months, a storeman with Dalegetty Co, Auckland, living at 26 Upper Vincent Street, Auckland. He was 6 feet tall (182.9 cm), weighed 167 lbs (75.7 kg), chest 34" to 38" (86.4 to 96.5 cm), grey eyes, dark hair, Church of England. His next of kin was his father William of Stoke by Clare, but later changed to 9 Alexander Road, Sible Hedingham. That was also later changed to his uncle Harold at Standard Bank of South Africa, New York, USA.
He also stated that he had served 12 months with the South African Light Horse.

He sailed from New Zealand on 12th October 1914 on No.12 Transport, reaching Egypt 4th December. He then went to the Dardanelles on 12th April 1915. Reported as wounded (shot in stomach) and then missing, he was officially presumed to have died on 25tjh April 1915.

His entry in Du Ruvigny's Roll of Honour reads :-
FRANK, WILLIAM STANLEY, Private, No 12/107, Auckland Infantry Battn.New Zealand Expeditionary Force, eldest s.of William Frank of Stoke-by-Clare, co.Suffolk, by his wife, Laura Emily, dau of Capt.Edwin Gooch, R.N.R.; b North Finchley, London, N., 26 Nov.1876; educ University School, Hastings; served in the South African War 1899-1902, attached to the South African Light Horse;went to New Zealand in 1908 and whilst there he was engaged at a store; volunteered for Imperial Service on the outbreak of war in Aug.1914 and joined the Auckland Infantry Battn; left for Egypt, and from there went to the Dardanelles in 1915, and was killed in action there 25 April following; unm.


photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission



William Frank is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli panel 72

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK to Stoke by Clare home page