Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frank Aylward was born in the 4th quarter of 1883 in Haslemere, Surrey, to labourer Albert Aylward and Jane Aylward nee Marsh. He was baptised on 3rd February 1883 at St Bartholomew’s church, Haslemere. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Haslemere and Albert was working as a carter.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived in Godalming Road, Elstead, Surrey. Albert was working as a general labourer and Jane was at home. The household further comprised of their children: agricultural labourer Leeson; George; Mary J; Frank; Catherine; Ellen and Alice.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Pondtail Farm, Brockham. Albert was working as an agricultural labourer and Jane was at home looking after her children; ostler Frank; Catherine and Alice.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived in Tweed Lane, Brockham. Albert was working as a general labourer and Jane was at home. The household further comprised of their son groom Frank. Jane stated that she had given birth to ten children of whom nine were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Frank Aylward married Malvina Rose Bassett in the 1st quarter of 1915 in Reigate, Surrey.
Malvina was born in the 4th quarter of 1884 in Brockham to bricklayer’s labourer Owen, born about 1858 in Groombridge, Sussex and Mary, born about 1861 in Brockham. At the time of the 1911 Census, Malvina worked as a cook for clergyman Walter John at 45 Croydon Road, Penge, Surrey.
BROCKHAM
BABY SHOW – Notwithstanding the short notice and the disclination of many parents to enter their babied there was a satisfactory number presented at the local show in the Parish Room on Friday afternoon. The Judges had a difficult and invidious task to select the babies to represent the village in the Champion Show at Dorking on the 20th inst. in connection with the Dorking and District Red Cross Week. after most careful attention and consideration their choice was as follows:- Under 10 months of age. Hermia Joan Parsons, daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Parsons, Vine Cottage, aged 3 months, 3 weeks. Over 10 months and under 18 months, Bessie Aylwood, daughter of Mr and Mrs F. Aylward. Old School Lane, aged 11 months 3 weeks. There was no entry over 18 months and under 2 years.
Bessie Aylward Baby Show Winner © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
Frank and Malvina had a daughter Frances Bessie Aylward born in the 2nd quarter of 1916 in Reigate. Infant Frances Bessie took the 1st prize at the Brockham Baby Show in June 1916.
Frank Aylward enlisted in August 1916 in Guildford into the 1st Battalion the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). He was a Private with regimental number G/43613. At the time of his enlistment Frank resided in Betchworth. Later he was transferred into the 6th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers. Frank disembarked on the 7th of December 1916 in France.
PTE. F. AYLWARD
Pte. F. Aylward, Royal Fusiliers, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aylward of Tweed Lane, and married a daughter of Mr and Mrs O. Bassett of Old School Lane. Like Arnold, he was well known in the village, having been employed at the Royal Oak Inn, The Green, for over 15 years. He enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers in August 1916, and proceeded to France in the following November. He was killed in action on August 10th, and about three weeks later his wife was officially advised of his death. He leaves a widow and an infant 15 months old, who took the first prize at the Brockham baby show in June last.
Frank Aylward Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Frank Aylward died in an action on the 10th of August 1917 in France.
He was exhumed and reburied at the Hooge Crater Cemetery in Belgium. His body was identified by the disc. His grave reference number is: XXI. D. 11.
Frank is also commemorated on the Brockham Christ Church Cross.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Frank Aylward was well known in Brockham, having been employed at the Royal Oak Inn, The Green, for over 15 years.
Frank’s wife Malvina received £1, 6s and 2d on the 4th of January 1918 and a further £3 and 10s on the 9th of January 1920 in Soldier’s Effects.
In 1917 Frank’s father Albert Aylward lived in Tweed Lane, Brockham.
Malvina remarried John A. Funnell in the 4th quarter of 1919 in Reigate. They lived at Old School Lane, Brockham.
Aylward Family History
Frank’s father Albert Aylward was born in the 4th quarter of 1841 in Liss, Hampshire to agricultural labourer William born about 1809 in Petersfield, Hampshire and Ann born about 1818 in Liss, Hampshire.
Frank’s mother Jane Marsh was born in the 3rd quarter of 1846 in Froxfield, Hampshire to agricultural labourer Mark, born about 1811 in Rogate, Sussex and Mary, born about 1821 in Froxfield, Hampshire. Jane was baptised on the 6th of September 1846 in Froxfield, Hampshire.
Frank and Jane married in the 1st quarter of 1868 in Petersfield, Hampshire.
Frank Aylward had nine siblings: Albert born about 1869, Annie born about 1871 and Leeson born about 1876, all in Froxfield; William born about 1873 and Ellen Aylward born about 1888, both in Liss, Hampshire; George born about 1878 in Hawkley, Hampshire; Mary born about 1882 in Shalden, Kent; Catherine born about 1886 in Fernhurst, Sussex; and Alice born about 1890 in Elstead, Surrey.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at Parsons, Froxfield, Hampshire. Albert was working as an agricultural labourer and Jane was at home looking after their children: Albert and Annie.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Shalden, Hampshire. Albert was working as a labourer and Jane was at home. The household further comprised of their children: agricultural labourer Albert; Annie; William; Leeson and George.
| Born | Haslemere, Surrey | |
| Lived | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Son of | The late Albert and Jane (nee Marsh) of Old School Lane, Brockham | |
| Husband of | Malvina Rosa of Old School Lane, Brockham, Surrey | |
| Father of | Frances Bessie | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | G/43613 | |
| Date of Death | 10th August 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 35 | |
| Cemetery | Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium |
