Frank joined the Oxford & Bucks in October 1915 at the age of 18. We have his diary - with just short entries most days May 4 1916: Live bomb throwing. One man wounded, eye blown out. May 22 1916: Left camp for France. July 22 Attacked at 12.0 midnight. Took trench. 250 casualties. Lots of "Drill" in October 1916. 25 November 1916: Moved up line. Desemal Farm. 7 February 1917: Moved up in trenches behind Herbecourt in dugout. 15 February 1917: Reported sick. Bad foot. 11 March 1917: Marked fit. Transferred to Base Details Camp. In tents Boulogne. 20 April 1917: 6 Arr at Hamel after walking all night. B Coy at Hamel. Pay. 18 May 1917 Relieved R Berks front line. 28 May Night relieved R Berks. Front line. 31 May 1917 Frank was shot by a sniper 5 days before his 20th birthday.

Tansy Hepton