FRANK ROBERT WHEELER

Photograph courtesy of Nicola.

Born: 1884, Ipswich.

Died: 22nd April 1917, age 32; Died of Dysentery, at the 40th British Hospital, Mesopotamia.

British forces suffered over 800,000 illness-related casualties during the fighting with the Turkish armies in the Mesopotamian Campaign. Cholera, typhoid and dysentery hampered the campaign with over 150,000 men being evacuated through illness. 16,000 died from illness many more would die through illness in captivity.

Residence: Norfolk Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment: Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: M2/227368

Regiment: Army Service Corps, 729th Mechanical Transport Coy.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Grave Reference:

IV. K. 21.

Basra War Cemetery

Iraq.

Relatives Notified and Address: Son of Henry and Hannah Wheeler, of Ipswich; husband of Flossie Lavinia Parker (formerly Wheeler), of 4, East Hill, Colchester, Essex.                                            

CENSUS

1891   85, Beck Street, Ipswich.

Frank was 6 years old and living with his parents & siblings.                                                                         

Henry Wheeler, 56, a Clerk at the Labour Bureau; born Kington St. Michael, Wiltshire.

Hannah Wheeler (nee Bowman), 49, born Bramford, Suffolk.

Bessie Florence Wheeler, 14, born Forest Gate, Essex.

William Thomas James Wheeler, 11, born Belgrave Road, Forest Gate, Essex.

Frederick Charles Wheeler, 4, born Ipswich.     

1901   The Pines, Springfield Lane, Ipswich.

Frank was 16 years old and a Baker & Bread Maker. He was living with his parents & brother.

Henry, 66, a Clerk at the Labour Bureau.

Hannah, 59.

Frederick, 4.

1911    77, Finchley Road, Ipswich.

Frank was 26 years old and a Baker and Confectioner. He was living with his mother.

Hannah, 69, a widow.

1 young boarder.

Frank’s father Henry Wheeler died 19^th January 1902, at his home The Pines, Springfield Lane, Ipswich.

Frank’s mother Hannah Wheeler died 30^th August 1918, at her home 77, Finchley Road, Ipswich.

On the 3^rd October 1915, at St. Michael’s Church, Mile End, Colchester, Essex, 30 year old Frank, married 19 year old Flossie Lavinia Jeffery, born June 1896, Ipswich – daughter of William Jeffery, a foreman platelayer – G. E. Railways and Bessie Jeffery (nee Stainton), of 49, Ranelagh Road, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Flossie Lavinia Parker – widow.

Frank is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich and St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich.

Army Service Corps, 729th Mechanical Transport Coy