No.30774, Private, Frank SUMMERS
Aged 19
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Frank Summers was born in Soham (Newmarket Q1-1898 3B:531), son of James and Clara SUMMERS (née HILLS).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Qua Fen, Soham at the home of his grandparents James HILLS [59] farm labourer and Sarah [59] and his aunt Lizzie HILLS [18]; his father James SUMMERS [23] cattle man on farm, his mother CLARA [24] and his sister Clara [1 month]. They were all born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at Qua Fen Common, Soham with his parents, sister Clara and brothers James [6] and Arthur [3]. One sibling had died. He was the brother of Sidney SUMMERS who died in the 1939-1945 war in the UK in 1940
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He enlisted in Newmarket. Death assumed to be 4th October 1917.
Broodseinde, a phase of the Third Battle of Ypres took place on 4th October, 1917, in the shape of a wide attack which made the most progress near Broodseinde , from where it took its name. Towards the extreme left of the frontage of attack, the 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers took part in what was destined to be its last fight. Battalion headquarters went to Bulow Farm, south-east of Langemarck, and "Z" Company stepped up to Murat Shelters. General Plumer's strategy was for several small battles but where he could keep the ground won, rather than large sweeping attacks that were often simply counter-attacked and pushed back again. What made a vast difference in the various battles around and for Passchendaele was the appalling weather which turned the area into a sea of mud which was capable of drowning men and materials. The success of Plumer's attacks unfortunately convinced Haig that German morale would be low and he should carry on to the Passchendaele Ridge. The return of the rain ensured that the attack would bog down in the mud. On the 4th October the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers suffered 50 killed or missing presumed killed, of which only 10 have known graves. Local press report:- Mrs. James Summers, of Qua Fen Common, has now received an official communication from the War Office respecting her son, Pte. Frank Summer, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was reported missing on Oct.4th, 1917. The letter states that no further tidings have since come to hand, and it is assumed that he was killed on that date. The late Pte. Summers joined up in September, 1916, and about three months later was sent to France, where he did service about nine months up to the time of his death. He had only once been home on leave.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
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