Ackrills Annual 1915

Pte W S Franks - 1/5th West Yorks, of 8 Albany Road, Harrogate

Claro Times - 4th June 1915

Private W Franks, of the 5th West Yorkshire Regiment, writes from the Front as follows :

"We are at present in the trenches, but expecting to be relieved on June 3rd. I am glad to say that up to the present our Platoon (9th) has only lost one (Wilde), and one wounded (Ramus). Other Platoons of our regiment have not been quite so lucky. The report about Dr Wilkinson is not true, and he is quite well. I don't know how people get the news; it baffles me completely. I shall be glad when the war is over. People in England have no idea what it is like out here. It is a very grand country where we are just now. Our billets, for when we come out of the trenches, are right out in the country".

Claro Times - 30th July 1915

Private Fred Lancaster, formerly engaged at the Harrogate Post Office, who is 'Somewhere in Belgium', expressing his thanks to a Harrogate friend for a parcel of good things, says : "I couldn't talk to you if you were here now, because I've got a fine big chunk of toffee in my mouth. I saw Herbert Watson as recently as last Sunday. He had been talking to Britton, and had seen J Padgett, who was well. Currie is the only other one I've come across. Wally Franks is here with us, and is quite well. Herbert has been off sick with hay fever for a week, but was about right again...................

Harrogate Herald - 3rd January 1917

Letters

The following are men who have sent us the Army post-card briefly stating that they are well and have received papers and parcels, or whose letters contain views that have repeatedly been expressed by other correspondents, but show their friends that they are all right :

Private W S Frank (Season's greetings)

Harrogate Herald - 31st January 1917

Roll of Honour

Mrs W S Franks, of 8 Albany Road, Harrogate, has received official intimation that her husband, Private Walter S Franks, West Yorks, was killed in action on January 11th. Accompanying the message was the King's commands assuring Mrs Franks of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in her sorrow. Also the Army Council expressed their sympathy. Previous to joining the Army, two years and six months ago, Private Franks was for fifteen years a faithful servant at the Post Office, and gained the esteem of his fellow workers and civilian friends. He also belonged to the Territorials, and on the outbreak of the war volunteered for active service. He was afterwards wounded and sent back to England, and was for some time convalescent at Grove House Hospital, Harrogate. He was drafted back again last June, and met his death by shell explosion.

SDGW

1/5th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

1612 Private Walter Sherwood Franks

Born : Harrogate

Enlister : Harrogate

Died : 11th January 1917

KIA

France and Flanders