Frank Howard, was the only son of Arthur William & Annie Howard (nee Bell) who married in the December quarter of 1899 (Newmarket Vol. 3b Page 1224). Frank was recorded in the 1901 census living at East End, East Adderbury, Oxfordshire with his parents. Arthur, 22, was a Stableman who had been born in Brighton, Sussex. His mother Annie Eliz, 21 had been born in Newmarket, Cambridge. Frank, who was listed on the census as Francis A.C. Howard was aged 4 months. He had been born in Newmarket, Cambridge.
The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to Overton, living in Penyllan St. Arthur, 32 was a Stud Groom and Annie, his wife of 11 years was 31 . She had given birth to 3 children but 1 had died. Francis was 10. There was a daughter, Mable aged 5 who had been born in Adderbury, Oxon.
I have tried to find some Army Papers for Frank (Francis) but the only one I can find is this one below.
The UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers and is accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk It gives his Regimental number as 20823, but in the Register, it is clearly 10823 and he was a Trumpeter with the 1/ Res. Regiment Lancers. It also tells us that the sole Legatee was his father Arthur who received £7 19s 6d on the 13th November 1920, which included his War Gratuity of £6 12s 6d, also 6/8d
The Parish Records of St. Mary’s Church, Overton, includes an entry for the burial of Francis:- Page 146 No. 1167 Francis Arthur Charles Howard Argoed Lane, Overton, 25th January aged 18 years.
There is an index card for Frank in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. Card (Overton F 12) gives his address as Argoed Lane, Overton. Ellesmere. His father wrote out and signed the card . His regimental number was 10823 and the regiment was Welsh Horse. 1st 9TH Lancers. He was a Trumpeter. He served 4 and ½ years and Died on the 24th January 1919. The card was signed by A. Howard on the 16th January 1920.
On the everse of card is written : – ‘Died from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis having had 3 previous attacks’.
He was born in 1900 and died in 1918 when he was 18 . He had served for 4 and a half years. He had therefore joined the army as a boy soldier when he was about 14 years old in 1914. Boy soldiers often fulfilled the role of bugler or drummer. He was listed as a ‘Trumpeter’.
If anyone can add to Frank’s story, any information would be gratefully received.