Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for this research.
Although Frank French appears on the South Street Memorial – we can find no link to Dorking.
Family History
Frank Ainger French was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Paddington, London to Charles William born about 1862 in Marylebone, London and Ellen (nee Whatling) born about 1860 in Denham, Suffolk. The couple married in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in Marylebone.
Frank had five siblings but one had died by the time of the 1911 Census: Nellie Constance born about 1892 and Albert Edward born about 1893, both in Paddington. Charles Leonard Ingram born about 1902 and Florence Norah born about 1907, both in Sevenoaks, Kent.
During the 1901 Census the family lived at 2 Catherine Villa, Hartslands Rd, Sevenoaks and Frank’s father Charles was working as a building managing clerk.
At the time of the 1911 Census the family still lived at 2 Catherine Villa. Frank’s father was working as a builder’s clerk and his brother Albert as a correspondence clerk in the motor trade. Frank himself was working as a grocer’s apprentice. The villa had six rooms.
Military History
Frank enlisted in Bedford, Bedfordshire. He was the part of the 4th Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs). He became a Lance Corporal with a regimental number 2474. Frank disembarked in France on 20th Feb 1915.
He was killed in action in France. The exact day of his death is not known. Frank went missing and is presumed to have died on or since the 11th Mar 1915. He was likely to have been killed during the battle of Neuve Chapelle (10th-12th March 1915) which was a village in France where the 4th Seaforth Highlanders suffered great losses.
He is commemorated at Le Touret Memorial, France on panels 38-39.
Frank left to his father Charles; Soldiers effects of £3, 15s, 9d on 20th Jun 1916 and his father received a further £3 on a later date.
He received the British Victory Medal and the 1915 Star.
Frank’s name is engraved on the South Street Memorial and on St. Martin’s Church Memorial.
| Born | Paddington, London | |
| Son of | Charles William French and Ellen French | |
| Enlisted | Bedford, Bedfordshire | |
| Regiment | 4th Battalion, Seaford Highlanders | |
| Number | 2474 | |
| Date of Death | 11th March 1915 (approx) | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Memorial | Le Touret Memorial |
