No.6527, Private, Frank HALLS
Aged 35
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Frank HALLS was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1879 4A:491), son of William and Mary Ann HALLS (née WEBB). 1881 census...Aged 1, he was at 21 Eden Road, Haverhill with his father William HALLS [48] farm labourer; his mother Mary Ann [46]; sister Elizabeth [25] jacket maker; brothers Stephen [17] warp winder-silk, Arthur [14] farm labourer, Henry Albert [13] farm labourer, James [9]. All these were born Helions Bumpstead, brother Robert William [7] and Frederick [4] were born in Haverhill. A sister Lydia was born in 1859, brother John was born in 1871. 1891 census...Aged 11, he was still at 21 Eden Road with his parents; brothers Arthur, Robert William and Frederick (all three farm labourers). 1901 census...Not found in this census, possibly in the Army. His parents were at 21 Eden Road, Haverhill 1911 census...Aged 31, a labourer, he was boarding with his sister Elizabeth, her husband John BAKER [51] a boot repairer born in Little Wratting and their six children. There are questions to be answered as to siblings. On his "Soldier's Personal Effects" entry he had legatees as brothers Stephen, Arthur, James, Fred and sisters Eliza MOSS, Elizabeth BAKER and Lydia BACKLER, which begs the question, where are Henry, Robert and John(could be James) and who is Eliza MOSS. The pension card has not been found. |
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His service record exists only for one spell, when he re-enlisted in Harwich on 6th March 1902 for four years, giving his age as 23 years, single, a labourer born and living in Haverhill,
next of kin, father William and brother Stephen of 21 Eden Road, Haverhill. Employed by Mr.C Brown, of Haverhill. He as a member of the 3rd
Suffolks (Militia).He joined the Suffolk Regiment as No.6021. Unusually there are no details of his height, weight etc. Searches for his previous military service and his WW1 service have failed. One page says he attested in 1902, another page says 1903 and one entry says joined Suffolk Regiment on 26 June 1903. It is possible he served in South Africa and was discharged on return to UK and then chose to re-enlist. He was mobilised immediately war broke out, so must still have been on the Reserves if his service from 1902 or 1903 is taken into account. 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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