Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Andy Bailey for further contributions.
Frank Mattingley was born in 1889 in Witley, Surrey to bricklayer and builder’s foreman Walter Francis and Constance Jane (nee Chennell). He was baptised on 22nd February 1889 at All Saint’s church in Witley.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were still in Witley. Walter had become a builders foreman and Constance was at home looking after bricklayers apprentice Walter, William, Frank, Harry, Nellie, George, Frederick and Cyril.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to Glenmore in Witley. Walter had the same job and Constance was looking after their children; bricklayer Frank, apprentice Harry, mill hand George, telegraph messenger Frederick and scholar Cyril. Constance stated that she had given birth to eleven children of whom nine were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Frank married Beatrice Ethel Wilson in 1914 in Guildford, Surrey.
Beatrice was born in 1890 in Swindon, Wiltshire to railway coach painter George, born about 1858 in Warwickshire and Olive, born about 1861 in Sevenoaks, Kent. At the time of the 1911 Census, Beatrice was a kitchen maid for stoke broker Mr Schwann at Hangerfield, Witley.
Frank and Beatrice had two children: Olive born in 1914 and Allan Frank born in 1916, both in Dorking.
DORKING’S FINE BABIES
The Dorking babies may be said, appropriately enough, to have opened the week. It was their day and they assembled, in arms and in a varied assortment of perambulators, in the pretty grounds of High Grounds, which surround the residence of the Misses’ Douglas in St. Paul’s Road. The event was the local baby show, and the proud mothers of the winning babies not only had the satisfaction of receiving a 15s. 6d. War Savings Certificate, kindly offered as a first prize by Mrs. Aitken, in the various classes, but will also have the opportunity of competing with the village babies in the champion classes at the fete at Pippbrook House, on Wednesday next. To those who just missed the premier awards money prizes were offered with equal kindness by Mrs. C. E. Hall. There were three classes as follows:- Class 1, babies under 10 months; class 2, under 18 months, and class 3, from 18 month to two years. A total of 64 entries was received; fine babies they were every one of them. We prefer to make no qualification or distinction; discretion impels us to emphasise that they were all tip-top babies, and great credit is due to the parents. The babies, too, had on their very best behaviour; had on their very best behaviour; our reporter averse that during the embarrassing time he spent in examining their points – (Hardly appropriate phrase, but let it go – Ed) –
Allen Mattingley Baby Competition Pt.1 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
he never heard a real good squall; they were all happy and contented, and appeared to be greatly interested in all that was taking place, and reserved their most pleasing smile for the photographer gentleman. They were all in the picture – needless to say, the mothers too.It was an ideal spot for such a gathering, with the beautiful Glory Woods as a background, and the roses and other flowers just now in their first bloom. The thanks of the committee are due to the Misses Douglas for kindly placing the grounds – as well as their house – at their disposal.
The babies were judged by Dr. Helen M. Hatton, who is greatly interested in the baby welfare of Bermondsey, and were weighed by Nurse Currie, one of the County Council health visitors. While the judging was proceeding, the mothers were very kindly entertained to tea. Miss Florence Douglas was in charge of the arrangements, and was greatly helped by her sister. We append
Allen Mattingley Baby Competition Pt. 2 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
THE PRIZE WINNERS
Class 1 (under 10 months) – 1st prize, 15s. 6d. War Loan presented by Mrs. Aitken, Kathleen Phyllis Davy; 2nd prize 5s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Charles Sach Edwards; 3rd prize, 2s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Allan Frank Mattingley.
Class 2 (10 to 18 months) – 1st prize, 15s. 6d. War Loan presented by Mrs. Aitken, Elsie Lillian Stevens; 2nd prize 5s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Peter Derrick McLeod Down (passed on to Irene Margaret Mannion); 3rd prize, 3s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Joan Elizabeth Walter; 4th prize 2s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, William Orbell.
Class 3 (18 months to two years) – 1st prize, 15s. 6d. War Loan presented by Mrs. Aitken, Muriel Grace Pomeroy; 2nd prize 2s. 6d, presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Albert George Willemsen; 3rd prize, 2s., presented by Mrs. C. E. Hall, Norman Eric Reddy.
Allen Mattingley Baby Competition Pt. 3 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
In June 1917, as a part of Dorking Red Cross Week, baby Allan won the 3rd prize in the class 1 (under 10 months) category in a baby show.
Frank enlisted in Dorking into the Royal Innsikilling Fusiliers
At the time of his death he was part of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was a Private with regimental number 41108.
WITLEY MEN IN THE WAR
PTES J.C. JONES AND F. MATTLINGLEY KILLED IN THE WAR
Pte. Frank Mattingley, of the 1st Royal 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of W. F. Mattingley, of Witley, had been reported killed in action on July 31st. He was struck by a shell and died instantaneously. Until four years ago, Pte. Mattingley lived in the village, and worked as a bricklayer for Mr. Milton. He was 22 years of age, and won local renown as an athlete. He leaves a wife and two children living in Dorking. Pte. Mattingley was the third of seven sons Mr. and Mrs. Mattingley have given to the Army, and the second of the family to lay down his life in the war. The fourth son, Harry Mattingley, who had emigrated, and joined the Canadian forces was wounded in France, and died of his wounds in hospital at Taplow.
Frank Mattingley Death Notice © Surrey Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Frank Mattingley was killed in action on 31st July 1917 in France. He was struck by a shell and died instantaneously.
Frank’s body was exhumed and reburied at the Artillery Wood Cemetery in Belgium. His grave reference number is II.E.14. His headstone bears the inscription: “Ever In Our Thoughts.”
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Beatrice received 18s and 9d on 20th November 1917 and a further £3 and 10s on 1st November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
The 1918 and 1919 Surrey, England Electoral Registers read that Beatrice lived at 50 Dene Street in Dorking. She married Thomas W. Valentine in 1919 in Dorking. Sometime after her marriage Beatrice moved to 15 Dene Street.
Mattingley Family History
Frank’s father Walter was born in the 2nd quarter of in 1858 Wokingham, Berkshire to licensed victualler Henry, born about 1828 and Martha, born about 1833, both in Wokingham. His mother, Constance was born in the 2nd quarter of 1863 in Godalming, Surrey to labourer and shepherd George, born about 1831 in Godalming and Emily, born about 1837 in Lurgashall, Sussex. Walter and Constance married in the 3rd quarter of 1881 in Guildford.
Frank Mattingley had ten siblings of whom nine are known: Grace Lilian born about 1882 in Farncombe, Surrey; Edith Maude born about 1884 in Battersea; Walter born about 1887; William born about 1888; Harry born about 1892; Nellie born about 1894; George born about 1895; Frederick born about 1897 and Cyril born about 1898, all in Witley, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived in Witley. Walter was still working as a bricklayer and Constance was looking after their children: Grace, Edith, Walter, William and Frank. The household further comprised of Walter’s brother, carpenter, John George Mattingley.
Frank’s son, Allan, served in and survived the Second World War. WW2. He enlisted on the 16th March 1940, into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, and to the reserve 2nd (Territorial) Battalion on 1st June 1946.
| Born | Witley, Surrey | |
| Son of | Walter Francis and Constance Mattingley of Witley, Surrey | |
| Husband of | Beatrice Ethel Valentine (formerly Mattingley) of 15 Dene Street, Dorking | |
| Enlisted | Dorking | |
| Regiment | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | |
| Number | 41108 | |
| Former Regiment | 53363 Royal Fusiliers | |
| Date of Death | 31st July 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 29 | |
| Cemetery | Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boesinghe, Belgium |
