Frank Williment, killed in action in France, 1917

This family headstone can be found in Earlham Cemetery in Norwich.

 

In loving memory

of

SARAH,

the beloved wife of

R.J.T. WILLIMENT,

who died Feb. 26th 1923,

aged 65 years.

 

Her end was peace.

 

Also of FRANK, beloved son of the above,

killed in action in France,

Aug. 10th 1917, aged 35 years.

 

Also R.J.T. WILLIMENT,

the beloved husband of the above

who died June 2nd 1929,

aged 72 years.

 

Reunited

 

That would appear to relate to this soldier on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, although note the days discrepany in the date of death.

 

Private WILLIMENT, F

Service NumberL…… 203573

Died:……………….. 11/08/1917

Unit:…………………7th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment

Buried at BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY

Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Cemetery/memorial reference: VI. B. 15.

Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/430676/williment,-/

 

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 203573 Frank Williment Died of Wounds on the 11th August 1917 while serving in France & Flanders with the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was born, resident and enlisted Norwich.

 

The Medal Index Card for Private 203573 Frank Williment, Bedfordshire Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/21/212799

Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5918554

He qualified for the British War Medal (BWM) and the Victory Medal (VM). There is no additional information on the card.

 

The associated Service Medal Roll for his BWM and VM shows that he originally served with the 8th Battalion before joining the 7th Battalion. Frank almost certainly went out as a replacement draft, (the BWM and VM only combination shows that he only went overseas on or after the 1st January 1916, and both the 8th and 7th Battalion were already in France by that date), and so it’s likely his initial training was with another UK only unit.

 

His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.

 

No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.

 

The Government Probate Service holds no obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man. The Army Register of Soldiers Effects shows that he died at No.32 Casualty Clearing Station on the 11th August 1917. The balance of his pay was sent to his wife Ann H. in December 1917, and a pension was awarded for herself + “child”, (possibly “childn” – the last bit is lost in creasing in the midle of the book). In December 1919 Franks’ War Gratuity was also sent to his widow Ann.

 

 

1884 – Birth………………………

 

The birth of a Frank Williment was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Norwich District of Norfolk in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1884.

His mothers’ maiden name was Annison.

 

1891 Census of England and Wales

 

The 7 year old Frank Williment, born Norwich, was recorded living at Press Lane, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 34, a Horsehair Worker, born Norwich), and Sarah, (aged 33, born Norwich). As well as Frank their other children are:-

Robert……..aged 14….born Norwich….Brushmaker

Samuel…….aged 13….born Norwich….Boot Rivetter

George…….aged 10….born Norwich

Emmanuel…aged 8…..born Norwich

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The Williment family were recorded at 17 Press Lane, Norwich. As well as parents Robert J., (44, Crepe Finisher) and Sarah, (43), still single and living with them were their sons George, (20, Shoe Operative), Emmanuel, (18, Clicker Shoe Trade) and Frank, (17, Clicker Shoe Trade).

 

1908 – Marriage…………………….

 

The marriage of a Frank Williment to an Ann Harriet Wigger was recorded in the Norwich District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1908.

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

The 27 year old Frank Williment, a Boot and Shoe Operator \ Upper Cutter, from Norwich, was recorded as the married head of the household at 3 Berners Street, Upper Hellesdon, Norwich. He lived there wih his wife of two years, Annie, (aged 28 and born Norwich). The couple have one child, there 2 year old son Russell, born Norwich.

 

Parents Robert, (54) and Sarah, (53), were recorded living at 38 Berners Street, St Augustine Road, Norwich. The couple have been married 35 years and have had 7 children, of which 5 were then still alive.

 

Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers’ maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows possibly one additional child of Frank and Annie. The birth of a Stanley F. Williment, mothers’ maiden name Wigger, was registered in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1914.

 

A Frank Williment was the publican at The Plasterers Arms at 43 Cowgate Street, Norwich from the 24th November 1914 and is stated to have died on the 10th August 1917 in Belgium. He was succeeded as licensee by Ann Harriett Williment from the 12th June 1917. On the 27th April 1918 Ann was convicted of permitting intoxicating liquor to be taken away after 8.00 p.m. On the 21st September 1919 she married a Harry Rope and the license transferred into her new name. A Harry Ernest Rope took over the license from the 6th April 1920 and seems to have remained there until the start of the 1930’s.

www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norwich/pnorwich/ncpla2.htm

 

 

On the day…………………………………

 

BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY

 

Location Information

 

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery is located 6.5 km west of Ieper town centre, on the Zevekotestraat, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge.

 

History Information

 

During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire, which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously. Until July 1917 burials had been made in the Military Cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the new Allied offensive launched that month made it necessary to open the New Military Cemetery, followed in August by the New Military Cemetery No 3. Brandhoek New Military Cemetery contains 530 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 28 German war graves.

Source: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/4003808/brandhoek-n...

 

GLENCORSE WOOD 10-8-17 [Comment: The Battles of Ypres 1917 - the capture of Westhoek] At 3.30 AM all companies were formed up for the attack timed for 4.35 AM. C company on the right B Company on the left A Company in close support and D Company in reserve under Caps O.Kingdon [Oliver KINGDON, MC], H.Driver DSO [Harry DRIVER, DSO, MC], R.O.CLARK [Robert Oswald CLARK], J.C.M.FERGUSON [John Charles James Moore FERGUSON]. The forming up was carried out in an exceedingly steady manner under considerable enemy artillery and M/G fire and great credit is due to the company commanders for the cool and deliberate manner in which they handled their companies. At zero hour 4.35 an intense British barrage opened and the battalion moved forward close under its protection. A full account of the glorious manner in which all ranks carried out their duties appears in APP.II The battalion famous for its fighting spirit in the past eclipsed all former deeds of gallantry, when heavy wire held up the foremost men, those behind stood on lumps of earth and rubbish and fired over the heads of those cutting the wire, seldom have any troops shown such brilliant dash and utter contempt for the Bosch. By 5.13 AM NONNE BOSSCHEN Wood was reached and at the same time all other objectives occupied. Within an hour SAA Lewis gun drums etc had been dispatched to the advanced positions and much consolidation had been carried out. Very early in the operations the 11th Royal Fusiliers operating on our right and the Queens operating on their right became adversely involved with a Bosch strong point at the N.W. Corner of INVERNESS COPSE and the whole attack on our right became confused and fell back. The Fusiliers fell back from their advanced posts on to a line running along the ridge from the SW Corner of GLENCOURSE WOOD to CLAPHAM JUNCTION. This change in the situation exposed our right flank and necessitated the partial expenditure of D Company to make a defensive flank which was carried out by Cap Ferguson [John Charles James Moore FERGUSON] in a quick and clever manner. Very severe fighting resulted later in the day through the unsatisfactory position in which our troops were placed. About 5.30 PM the Bosch showed considerable movement and it became evident that a heavy counter attack was imminent: by 6 PM the attack developed and by 7 PM the situation was severe, the Bosch attacking in mass and our own guns shooting desperately short. This condition lasted till 9 PM by which time although we had lost connection with our advanced posts the main position was still firmly in our hands and the enemy casualties were extremely heavy. About 8.30 PM the 6th Royal Berks were sent up to relieve our companies and one company of Norfolks took over the strong point at the SW Corner of GLENCOURSE WOOD from which the Fusiliers had previously been relieved by us. By 2 AM the Regiment had been completely relieved by the Royal Berks and moved back to CHATEAU SEGARD Area No.4. Roll of officers in action APP III Casualties APP IV Operation Orders APP V Aeroplane [all in Appendices] Photo APP VI CHATEAU SEGARD 11-8-17 The morning was spent in rest. 2 PM The Battalion moved to DICKEBUSH NEW CAMP The afternoon was spent in clothing and fitting.

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/7thbn/7thbtn1917diary.html

 

 

Postscript………………….

 

The Births, Marriages and Deaths announcements in the edition of the Eastern Daily Press dated Monday September 3, 1917 included this:-

 

DIED OF WOUNDS

 

WILLIMENT – In loving memory of Pte. F. Williment, who died of wounds, August 11, 1917.

Sleep on, dear one, in a far-off grave,

A grave we may never see;

But as long as life and memory last

We shall remember thee.

From his loving wife and children of 43, Cowgate Street, Norwich.

 

 

Done