Lieutenant Hugh Brooksbank
Remembrance - The Yorkshire Regiment, First World War
Photos, - Individuals, Surname "F"

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Lieutenant Hugh Brooksbank

Information and photos for the following are to be found on this page;-

Private Thomas Edward FERGUSON
Lieutenant Harold FIRTH
Serjeant Albert Edward Fisher
CSM George Henry FLEMMING
Private Charlton Waggett FORSTER
Lieutenant Colonel Cusack Grant FORSYTH, DSO
Lieutenant Ernest Vivian FOX, MC DCM
Private James FOXTON
2nd Lieutenant Edward FRANK

Private Thomas FRANK
Lieutenant-General Sir William Edmund FRANKLYN
Private John Henry FRENCH
CSM Herbert FRIEND, MM

Private Thomas Edward Ferguson, MM
For a larger sized image and further information on Private Ferguson, click on this thumbnail. Click anywhere in the new window to close it.
  Private Thomas Edward FERGUSON, MM. 17794.

9th Battalion.
Killed 1 October 1917.
Born Darlington, Enlisted Darlington.
Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

(Photo and information provided by Mrs Caroline Ferguson, <c.ferguson@acumentrust.org.uk>)
   

Select the above image for a larger sized image which opens in a new window.
  Lieutenant Harold FIRTH.

6th Battalion.
Son of Luther Firth, of Keighley, Yorks; husband of Dorothy Firth (nee Cartlidge), of Walsall.
Killed 9 October 1917.
Buried POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY.

(Photo and information - below - provided by Graeme Clark, <graemeclarke1@tiscali.co.uk>. The photo was published in The Keighlian Magazine, Keighley Boys Grammar School.)

Harold enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of war and received his training at Harrow, Cramlington, Newcastle and Rugeley and was then placed in charge of a Coast Defence Station on the Holderness Coast. He received a commission, being gazetted to the Yorkshire Regiment in April 1915 as a Second Lieutenant. He was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1917 and at the time of his death he was Acting Captain.

A fuller biography of Lieutenant Firth can be found on the "Past Matters" website.
   
Serjeant Albert Edward FISHER. 14419.
For a larger sized image and further information on Serjeant Fisher, click on this thumbnail.
  Serjeant Albert Edward FISHER. 14419.

7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Maria Fisher, of "Homeville," Devonshire Rd., Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 27.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Redcar, Resided Middlesbrough.
Buried FRICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY.

(Photo and information provided by Stuart McLeod, <stuartbmcleod@gmail.com>) a great nephew of Serjeant Fisher.

For a larger sized photo of Serjeant Fisher, his headstone in the Frocourt British Cemetery, and a postcard he wrote whilst in camp at Romsey in 1915, please select the thumbnail image on the left.
A new window will open with these photos.
   
Company Serjeant Major George Henry FLEMMING
Select the thumbnail photo above for a page with a larger sized photo and further information on CSM Flemming
 
Company Serjeant Major George Henry FLEMMING. 3/8878.

9th Battalion. Son of the late Gilbert and Mary Flemming; husband of Rose Elizabeth Flemming, of 5, Albion St., Aylesbury, Bucks.
Killed 21 September 1916. Aged 41.
Born Hoxton (London), Enlisted London, Resided Aylesbury.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial

John Sly (<sly211@btinternet.com>) has researched the career of CSM Flemming in connection with CSM Flemming 's medals. John has written a short biography of CSM Flemming, and this may be read by selecting the link below.


John Sly has also provided a photo with some additional information on CSM Flemming.
   
Private Charlton Waggett Forster
For a larger sized image and further information on Private Forster, click on this thumbnail. Click anywhere in the new window to close it.
  Private Charlton Waggett FORSTER. 14486.

7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late John and Elizabeth Forster, husband of Agnes Forster, of 39, Peel St., South Shields. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 39.
Born Bensham, Enlisted South Shields.

Private Forster was killed on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, and is buried in Fricourt Cemetery. In the photo he is shown with a Lance Corporal's stripe, though his grave records him as having been a Private. Curiously, there is no record of him in the Green Howards Gazette database, and his wife is reported as having said that he served in the West Yorkshire regiment. It is possible, therefore, that he had been attached to the Yorkshire Regiment shortly before the Battle of the Somme.

(Photo and information provided by John Cuddihy, <jonjos@ntlworld.com>)
   
Captain Cusack Grant FORSYTH
Photo from that of 2nd Battalion Officers, 1914
  Lieutenant Colonel Cusack Grant FORSYTH, DSO

2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, attached to 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Son of Ellen Sanford Forsyth, of Ashley House, Lillington Avenue, Leamington Spa, and the late Lt. Col. Frederick Arthur Forsyth.
Killed 14 September 1916. Aged 29.
Buried BLIGHTY VALLEY CEMETERY, AUTHUILE WOOD

Born at Leamington Spa, 4th May, 1887, 5th son of Lieut-Colonel Frederick Arthur Forsyth, 5th Fusiliers, and Ellen Sanford Forsyth, of Ashley House, Lillington Avenue, Leamington Spa.
2nd Lieut., 29th August, 1906 ; Lieut, 12th May, 1909; Adjt 12th April, 1912 ; Capt. 30th October, 1914.
Went to Belgium in October, 1914, with 2nd Battn., and was wounded in the fighting at Ypres (twice mentioned in despatches, D.S.O. and Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honour). On return to duty. he took part in the battles of Festubert and Givenchy. and later was appointed Adjt. and 2nd in command of the 2nd Battn. Wiltshire Regiment, with Lieut. Colonel Leathem as commanding officer, and was wounded at Hulloch (Loos) on the 25th September 1915. Later, he went out to Egypt to command the 6th Service Battn of the regiment.
On returning to France with this battalion he took part in the fighting on the Somme, and was killed near Thiepval on 14th September, 1916.
"This war has given many opportunities of distinction, and no one has made more of such opportunities than Cusack Forsyth. In particular his work and its results as second in command to Colonel Leathern (when attached to a battalion of another regiment in order to bring it up to the standard of efficiency from which it had lapsed) show that he had all the qualities necessary to enable him to do well in the higher commands, which would undoubtedly have been his had he survived.
He had a keen interest and enjoyment in life and met everything in a cheerful happy spirit. His memory will go down to future Green Howards as a type of devotion to duty " (G.H G)
   
Lieutenant Ernest Vivian FOX, MC DCM
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  Lieutenant Ernest Vivian FOX, MC DCM

The photograph of Lieutenant Ernest Vivian Fox has been provided by Barrie Bertram (<bhbertram@tiscali.co.uk>), who was researching Lieutenant Fox's connections with the Channel Islands. Lieutenat Fox married a Guernsey girl in 1915, shortly after which he was reported as having been killed in action. This was not the case, however, and Lieutenant Fox went on to lead a distinguished career with the Green Howards. The following is taken from M L Ferrar's "Officers of the Green Howards 1688 - 1931".
Born at Saltaire, 19th June, 1884, son of Smith Fox, of Saltaire, Shipley.
2nd Lieut., 31st December, 1916, from Warrant Officer ; Lieut. 30th June, 1918 ; retired, with a gratuity, 24th June, 1920.
Served with the 2nd Battn. in Belgium and France from October, 1914, to June, 1915, and was present at the battles of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Festu-bert and Givenchy. Was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal for con¬spicuous gallantry during the winter of 1914-15. when he frequently made daring reconnaissances of the enemy's position at great personal risk. Served with the 6th Service Battn. from 18th September, 1915, to November, 1916, including the Dardenelles, Egypt and battle of the Somme.
Awarded a clasp to the Distinguished Conduct medal for conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of a company, and led his men throughout the operations.
Promoted to a commission for distinguished service in the Field.
Served with the 7th Service Battn. from January, 1915, to May, 1917, including the Battle of Arras, when he was wounded (15th May, 1917). Was awarded the Military Cross for having, when in command of a bombing party, led his men with great gallantry and determination, driving the enemy back and improving our hold upon the trench. He was badly wounded, but remained in command until the objective was secured." Also in possession of the Russian Medal of St. George, 2nd Class, and the bronze star with clasp.
From 21st October, 1918, to 3rd November, 1919, served with the 1st Battn. Nigeria Regt.
Served in Ireland during the rebellion.
   
John Foxton
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  Private James FOXTON. 1501.

1st/5th Battalion.
Son of James and Ann Foxton, of Kirby Misperton Lane, Pickering, Yorks.
Born Kirby Misperton, Enlisted Pickering (Yorks).
Killed 2 March 1916. Aged 21.
Buried MAPLE COPSE CEMETERY.

(Photo from the Beck Isle Museum Archives/Collection. Ref: Roger Dowson, <localmilhistory@aol.com>)
   
2nd Lieutenant Edward FRANK
Photo from that of 6th Battalion Officers, 1915
  2nd Lieutenant Edward FRANK

6th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment.
Died 7 August 1915.

Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, Helles Memorial.
     
Thomas Frank
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  Private Thomas FRANK. 7787.

2nd Battalion.
Killed 1 July 1916.
Born Pickering, Enlisted Pickering.
Buried DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ.

(Photo from the Beck Isle Museum Archives/Collection. Ref: Roger Dowson, <localmilhistory@aol.com>)
     
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir WILLIAM EDMUND FRANKLYN, K.C.B., p.s.c.
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  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir WILLIAM EDMUND FRANKLYN, K.C.B., p.s.c.

Below is an obituary from "Officers of the Green Howards, 1688 - 1931" by M L Ferrar


Sir WILLIAM EDMUND FRANKLYN, K.C.B., p.s.c.
Born at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, 14th May, 1856, eldest son of the Revd. Thomas Edmund Franklyn, of Barton Grange, Cheshunt.
Sub-Lieut., 13th June, 1874; Lieut., same date; Capt., 30th March, 1881; Major, 20th April, 1886; Lieut.-CoL, 28th July, 1896; Brevet-Col., 20th May, 1898; Col., 29th September, 1898; Major-Gen., 1st April, 1904; Lieut.-Gen., 31st August, 1910; Col, 19th Foot, 2nd October, 1906.
Served in the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, under Sir William Lockhart in command of 2nd Battn. 19th Foot, and was present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, the reconnaissance of the Saran Sar, operations at and around Dwatoi, operations against the Khani-Khel Chamkanis, operations in the Bazar Valley (Brevet of Colonel mentioned in despatches, medal and two clasps).
D.A.A.G., Aldershot, 4th May, 1888—3rd May, 1893; A.A.G., Scotland, 29th September, 1898—8th October, 1899; Asst. Military Secretary, War Office, 9th October, 1899—14th October, 1902. Director of Personal Services, 28th March, 1904—31st May, 1906. Military Secretary to the Secretary of State for War and Secretary of the Selection Board, 6th October, 1911. C.B., August, 1902, K.C.B. King's birthday, 1912.

In October, 1914, he was sent on an important and delicate mission to the front.
Died at Luton Hoo, Hertford, 27th October, 1914, when in command of the 3rd Army, Central Force.

The King and Queen sent the following message of sympathy to Lady Franklyn, " The King and Queen have learnt with much regret of the grievous loss which you have sustained, and I am desired to express their Majesties’ sym¬pathy with you in your sorrow. The King had met Sir William Franklyn quite recently when inspecting a portion of his command."
" Stamfordham."

From Queen Alexandra:—" I offer you my most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the terrible sorrow which has befallen you in the death of your distinguished husband, Sir William Franklyn. His loss will be most deeply felt not only by his regiment of which I am Colonel-in-Chief, but by the whole Army."
   

  Private John Henry FRENCH. 11015.

6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Mary Ann Gibbon (formerly French), of 19, David Terrace, Coronation, Eldon Lane, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham. Killed 7 August 1915. Aged 28.
Born South Bank (Yorks), Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided South Bank.
Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, HELLES MEMORIAL.

"Jim" of the North East War Memorials Project (<jampas@btopenworld.com>) has kindly forwarded the attached photo, which comes from a contemporary in-house magazine of the Smith's Dock Company.
   
Company Sergeant Major Herbert Friend, MM
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  Company Sergeant Major Herbert FRIEND, MM . 9970.

2nd Battalion.
Twice wounded in France, - in July 1915 and December 1916.
Served in Russia in 1918 - 1918 with the Green Howards.
Died in 1928.

A fuller description of CSM Friend's life and service can be obtained by selecting the thumbnail on the left.

(Photo and information provided by Alan Gilbert, <alangilbert.carlow@gmail.com>)