No.R/1240, Able Seaman, Frank DOCKERILL
Aged 19
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Frank Dockerill was born in Horseheath on 20th May 1898 (Linton Q2-1898 3B:612), son of Elijah and Elizabeth DOCKERILL
(née CARTER).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at Cardinal's Green, Horseheath with his father Elijah DOCKERILL [39] horseman born Horseheath; his mother Elizabeth [31] born Balsham; sisters Ethel [10] born Balsham and Emily[8] born Horseheath; uncle Joseph R DOCKERILL [28] farm labourer born in Horseheath. He was admitted to Horseheath Junior Middle Infants School on 21st October 1903, leaving 26th May 1911, for beneficial employment. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was in Horseheath with his parents; uncle Joseph; sister Emily (sister Ethel was away); brothers Sidney [9] and Herbert [7] (both born in Horseheath. One of the 6 siblings had died. The pension card has his mother at Horseheath Green and on her death, father was at Castle Camps. |
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He enlisted on 20th June 1916 in Army Reserves, a cowman, living with father Elijah at Horseheath Green. he was 5 feet 2.5 inches (158.8 cm)tall, chest 33" (83.8 cm), grey eyes, black hair, Church of England. Transferred to Royal Naval Division on 24th April 1917, promoted to Able Seaman on 5th August 1917 and sent to BEF in Flanders. Joined Howe Battalion in Belgium on 27th September 1917. On the 26th Howe Battalion fought on the right of the 63rd (RN) Division's front, over the ground about Varlet Farm (having passed through Anson battalion who led off on this flank) On the map below the front was moving left to right, with the first line being that taken over from the 9th Div. The second line (darker blue) was the limit after the attack of the 26th The third line (lighter blue) was the line after 30th October and the right-most line was that handed over to the 1st Div on 5th November 1917. To find out more about this operation you could always book a stay at Varlet Farm where Dirk and Barbara photo courtesy Robert Mason click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
