BACKLER, Frank William


No.1929, Private, Frank William BACKLER
Aged 18
no overseas service, hence no medals
1st/6th (Cyclists) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of Illness on Monday, 8th February 1915


William Frank BACKLER was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q1-1897 4A:766), son of Warry and Hannah BACKLER (née DIGGENS).

His father Warry was born in Haverhill in 1859 and worked as a weaver, as his father Charles and grandfather John had done, all living in the Chauntry Croft area. His mother Hannah was from Little Wratting, daughter of Fred and Mary Jane DIGGENS

1901 census... Aged 4, (incorrectly recorded as William T) he was at 10 Primrose Hill, Haverhill with his father Warry BACKLER [42] shearer in clothing factory; his mother Hannah[42] born Little Wratting; sisters Hannah [24] (coat baster), Alma [18] (hair weaver), Emma [15] (trousers machinist), Edith E [8] and Florence [1]; brothers Frederick C.[12], Edward E. [10] and Albert {6]. All were born in Haverhill except his mother. Warry and the three eldest children were working at Gurteens, whilst mother Hannah looked after the younger ones at home

1911 census...Aged 14, now Frank William, an ironmonger's assistant at B.H.Smith's with his brother Ernest, he was still at 10 Primrose Hill, Haverhill with his parents; brothers Ernest Edward (ironmonger's assistant) and Albert Sidney (shoe maker/repairer) and sisters Ella Edith (milliner) and Florence.
In 1914 he moved to work at Messrs. Kent and Blaxill, of High Street, Colchester.

The pension card for the two brothers, Albert and Frank, gives no further information.

His brother Albert Sidney died in France serving in the London Rifle Brigade, in 1916 see here



He enlisted in Ipswich when war broke out, joining the 6th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment Cycling Corps. Progressing well, he was granted home leave early in 1915. returning to duty at Saxmundham he was kept under observation for six days and subsequently transferred to Felixstowe Isolation Hospital, suffering from an attack of scarlet fever. He died there on 8th February 1915. 4He served less than 6 months and never left these shores and therefore has no medals or war gratuity.

Buried in Haverhill Cemetery, his sister Hannah BASHAM was later buried with him.

The South West Suffolk Echo on 13th February 1915 reported:-
"The hand of death has this week claimed another soldier, although this time the cause arises not from a wound given by a German foe, but as a result of scarlet fever.
The victim was the 18 years old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.Backler of 10 Primrose Hill who succumbed to an attack of the malady named on Monday last. 8th February 1915.
The deceased was a youth of quiet demeanour and generally liked by all with whom he was acquainted.
The body was brought to Haverhill on Wednesday night, and the funeral took place at the cemetery the following afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering of sympathetic townspeople. The coffin was covered with a Union Jack on which rested the deceased's bayonet, belt and hat. At the termination of the service the firing party fired three volleys over the grave while the bugler sounded "Last Post".




Albert Backler is buried in Haverhill Cemetery, grave S:60

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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