FRANK GARTON

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 1918, Royston, Yorkshire.

Died: 19th May 1945; age: 27; Burma; died as a result of an Accident during the re-occupation of Rangoon.

Residence: 2, Ransome Crescent, Ipswich.

Rank: Gunner; Service Number: 1439247.

Regiment: Royal Artillery, 56 (4th Battalion. The King’s Own Royal Regiment Lancaster) Anti-Tank Regiment.

Originally buried on the 19^th May 1945 at St. Luke School, Toungoo, Grave No. B-6. On the 15th May 1946, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Rangoon War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

2.G.16.

Rangoon War Cemetery,

Rangoon,

Myanmar.

Images courtesy of Kevin Knights

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Frank & Elizabeth Garton; husband of Evelyn Lillie May Garton, of Ipswich.

Father: Frank Garton, born December 1895, Kimberley, Nottinghamshire.

Mother: Elizabeth Winifred Garton (nee Atkinson), born July 1894, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

CENSUS

1921   25, Burman Crescent, Garston, Lancashire.

Frank was 3 years and 2 months old and lived with his parents and sister.

Frank Garton, 25 years & 6 months old, a Police Constable for the Liverpool Watch Committee.

Elizabeth Garton, 26 years & 11 months old, Home Duties.

Marjorie Susan Garton, 18 months old, born Bulwell, Yorkshire.

In 1941, Ipswich, Frank married Evelyn Lillie May Calver, born May 1920, Norfolk – daughter of Robert Calver, a baker, and Helen Kate Orion Calver (nee Lockwood), of Diss, Norfolk.

Probate to Evelyn Lillie May Calver – widow.

Frank is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Augustine of Hippo Church, Ipswich.

The 56^th (Kings Own) Territorial, Anti-Tank Regiment (R.A.), saw service first in France May-June 1940 and during the Dunkirk evacuation. Being an advance party on the 21st April 1940 of the BEF.

Ordered to withdraw to the defence of Dunkirk on 27th May. 29th May 1940 saw action at Rousbrugge protecting the lock. 30^th May the remaining units were sent to the defence of Dunkirk.

On the return to England, the regiment was first used as beach defence.

They were later shipped to India in preparation for the Burma campaign with the 5th Indian Division. Seeing action from 4^th April to 22^nd June 1944 at Kohima, Imphal and in the final thrust by IV Corps down to Rangoon.