CALVER, Frank James


No.12788, Private, Frank James CALVER
Aged 23


2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 20th July 1916


Frank James Calver was born on 25th November 1893 in Fornham St.Martin (Thingoe Q1-1894 4A:780), baptised on 24th June 18946 at Fornham St.Martin, son of Walter Alfred and Amelia CALVER (née NOTLEY).

1901 census...Aged 7, he was at The Street, Fornham St.Martin with his father Alfred CALVER [44] a gardener; his mother Amelia [42] born Bradfield St.George and his brother Sidney W [16] a carpenter's apprentice. All except his mother were born in Fornham St.Martin.

1911 census...Aged 17, a domestic gardener, he was in Fornham St.Martin with his parents (father now Walter Alfred). His mother had lost 2 of her 4 children.


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds around August 1914.
The war diary has them attacking LONGUEVAL, deployed ready to go at 3 am, the bombardment lifted at 3:35. Heavy mist on the left caused 2nd line of left company to lose direction. M Gun fire heard and reports from wounded and arrival of 5 prisoners created impression that all was going well- no further news arriving. About 4 am 2nd Lt RA Johnson went out and retuned to report that M Guns were in position on our left and about junction of DUKE STREET and PICCADILLY and movement across open was impossible. Lt Platts and 2/Lt Johnson killed in attempt to take M Gun at junction of the above mentioned streets.
Continuous shelling all day mostly "whizzbangs". Snipers and MG from NE of DUKE STREET. Major Congreve DSO Bgde Major killed by a sniper while reconnoitring to find out situation.
7 pm Lt Kemble, cmdg "Z" Coy killed by a sniper, 2/Lt Wright took command of Coy. 5 prisoners taken by "W" Company, 3 officers killed, 2 wounded and 6 missing.

CWGC have the killed as 114 all ranks, of which 88 have no known grave and are named on the Thiepval memorial.

The Bury Free Press of 30th September 1916 reported :-
MISSING SOLDIER

Mrs.A.Calver of Fornham St.Martin, Bury St.Edmunds, would be very grateful to receive any information of her son, Prvt Frank I Calver, Suffolk Regiment (whose photo is reproduced here) and who has been missing in France since July 20th, 1916




Frank Calver is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 1C/2A

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


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