Private Frank Aylward

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Frank Aylward was born in the 4^th quarter of 1883 in Haslemere, Surrey, to labourer Albert Aylward and Jane Aylward nee Marsh. He was baptised on the 3^rd of 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 1^st quarter of 1915 in the Registration District of Reigate, Surrey.

Malvina was born in the 4^th 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.

Frank and Malvina had a daughter Frances Bessie Aylward born in the 2^nd quarter of 1916 in Reigate. Infant Frances Bessie took the 1^st prize at the Brockham Baby Show in June 1916.

Frank Aylward enlisted in August 1916 in Guildford into the 1^th 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 6^th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers. Frank disembarked on the 7^th of December 1916 in France.

Frank Aylward died in an action on the 10^th 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 4^th of January 1918 and a further £3 and 10s on the 9^th 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 4^th quarter of 1919 in Reigate. They lived at Old School Lane, Brockham.

Aylward Family History

Frank’s father Albert Aylward was born in the 4^th 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 3^rd 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 6^th of September 1846 in Froxfield, Hampshire.

Frank and Jane married in the 1^st 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

Husband of                 Malvina Rosa Funnell (formerly Aylward) of Old School Lane, Brockham, Surrey
Son of                          Jane and Albert Aylward of Tweed Lane, Brockham

Enlisted                       Guildford

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

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