FRANK WILLIAM LARK

Photograph courtesy of Nicky Gibbs

(Top Image 1916 Newspaper)

Born: 1895, Beccles, Suffolk.

Died: 15th July 1916; age 21; KiA.

Residence: 2, Henniker Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.

He went to the Suffolks from Colchester, Essex, and had been at the front except for a short break Christmas 1915.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 1890

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

Memorial Reference:

Pier & Face 1C & 2A.

Thiepval Memorial,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Frederick Eade & Ellen Maria Lark, of 2, Pearce Villa, Henniker Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   8, Champion Cottages, Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

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

Frederick Eade Lark, 30, a Tailor/Presser – Clothing Factory, born Beccles, Suffolk.

Ellen Maria Lark (nee Sampson), 31, born Redisham, Suffolk.

Constance Jessie Lark, 3, born Ipswich.

Gladys Eleanor Lark, 9 months, born Ipswich.

1911   Pearce Villas, 2, Henniker Road, Ipswich.

Frank was 16 years old, an Apprentice Cabinet Maker. He was living with his parents & siblings.

Frederick, 40, a Tailor – Journeyman.

Ellen, 41.

Constance, 13.

Gladys, 10.

Claude Arthur Lark, 9, born Ipswich.

Winifred Esther Lark, 6, born Ipswich.

Phyllis Ethel Lark, 3, born Ipswich.

Frederick George Lark, under 1 month.

Frank was a member of the All Saints’ Lads’ Brigade.

Soldiers’ Effects to Ellen M. Lark – mother.

Frank is also remembered on SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL ww1 Memorial, Ipswich.

The Somme offensive day 15

The battle of the Bazentin Ridge and the attack on High Wood.

The 4^th Battalion the Suffolks 15^th July 1916 regimental records:

While the 4^th Battalion was moving through Becordel to the position between Fricourt and Mametz where they bivouacked during the night of July 14^th-15^th, the battle of the Bazentin Ridge was raging in all its fury. They were not destined, however, to remain long thus upon the fringe of the hostilities, and at dawn went out under the command of Major H.C.Copeman D.S.O on support the 1^st Middlesex Regiment in an attack on Switch trench. After severe fighting, a line immediately in front of the Village of Bazentin-le-Petit was taken up and held for the remainder of the day. The casualties in the battalion, exceeding two hundred.

This is the highest death rate of the war for Ipswich. 17 men.

Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment