Frank Manders was born on the 19th May 1892 the eldest child of Thomas and Ruth Manders of Horn Lane, now known as Telegraph Street, Shipston-on-Stour.  He was baptised in St Edmunds on the 26th June 1895 when Thomas is recorded as being a bricklayer. Interestingly these records spell the family name as Maunders, but this is the only instance found with this spelling.  On the 2nd September 1895 Frank was enrolled into the Infants School.  On the 4th July 1898 Frank was moved up to the Boys School, when it is noted that the family are living in Station Road. The 1901 census confirms that the family were still living in Station Road next door to Charles Barratt, who was killed in action in 1915.  The Boys School register confirms that Frank left school on the 28th June 1905 when he was nearly thirteen. Frank enlisted in Birmingham and initially served with the Lancashire Fusiliers.  As he arrived in France after the 31st December 1915 it is assumed that he was posted as a replacement for soldiers killed or wounded.  Later he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as part of a general re-organisation in early 1916. By the time of his death Frank was serving in the 38th Machine Gun Battalion, which supported the 38th (Welsh) Division. In early October they had taken part  in  the  Battle  of  Cambrai and had captured Villers-Outreaux. Later in the month the Division was fighting in the Englefontaine area, to the east of Cambrai as part of the Battle of the Selle.  The war diary for the 20th October reports a very successful attack: 20/10 Attack began at 2am. MG barrage should have started with the Field Artillery barrage but owing to the vigorous action of the heavy artillery during the last five minutes before zero it began about 20 seconds early. Complete silence before zero would make matters easier.  All objectives reached by 8.30am about 250 prisoners taken and the same number of dead counted.  A & C Coys crossed the SELLE early in the afternoon and took up barrage positions on each flank. B & D Coys disposed in depth for close defence. Casualties Gassed 2 ORs Weather very unfavourable, steady drizzle and a lot of mud Vigorous harassing fire by all companies. On the night of the 25th/26th October the Division took over the front line from the 33rd Division and the war diary reports: 26/10 Bn relieved 33rd Bn “A” Coy to line (left), “B” Coy to line (right) HQ POIX DU NORD.“C” Coy to line support HQ PAUL JACQUES, “D” Coy to FOREST Rear BHQ to CROIX 27/10 ADV B.H.Q. moved to POIX DU NORD. Redistributed guns in line and made all arrangements for SOS lines. Light harassing fire. Casualties Wounded 8 OR A Coy 7 B.H.Q. Draft of 15 ORs joined Battalion In December 1918 the Evesham Journal reported: Mrs Manders, of Powell-row, Blockley has received official report that her husband, Lance Corpl F Manders, was killed in action on October 27. He joined the Army in April 1917, and had been in France exactly twelve months. Before joining up he was engaged on munitions, but by trade he was a printer. He had one son, aged two years and eight months. He was of a pleasant disposition, and particularly keen on football. Mrs Manders has received the following sympathetic letters. “Dear Mrs Manders, It is with deepest regret that I have to write and tell you that your husband Lance-Corpl F Manders was killed yesterday afternoon, with another fellow of his team, by a shell which hit his dugout. His death was instantaneous. He is being buried in a cemetery by our Chaplain, who will write to you and give you particulars. May I, as his section officer, say how sorry we are to lose him. One of the best of fellows, his straight life was a worthy example to us all, and his work was always done in the quickest manner. May God, to whom he has gone, comfort you and your boy in your loss and give you strength to bear it. All his comrades join with me in offering our sincerest and deepest sympathy. Yours sincerely Frank Allen. “ “It is with very deep regret that I write to inform you of the death of your husband 116769 Lance-Corpl F Manders who was killed in action yesterday. Your husband was in charge of a gun and team, and was sheltering in a dug-out with his men, when an enemy shell struck it, and killed three of them, your unfortunate husband among them. Your husband was a very good soldier, and when he rejoined us recently I at once put him in a responsible position, knowing well that he was reliable and thorough.  He was always cheerful and was very popular with us all.  Now he is gone, and you have suffered a very severe loss. I hope you may be given strength to bear your burden. He will be buried tomorrow by our Chaplain in the finest place in the world, a British military cemetery behind the lines and a beautiful cross will be erected to mark the spot.  His personal effects will be sent to the base tomorrow and will be forwarded to you. They may be a long time on the way, as there are so many to deal with just now, but you should receive them eventually. The deepest sympathy of the whole company is extended to you in your sorrow.  F W Taylor Major. OC C Coy, 38 Batt MGC.” Frank is buried in the Forest Communal Cemetery near Englefontaine and is remembered on both of the School memorials and the Town Memorial. He is also remembered on the Blockley war memorial and plaque inside St Peter and St Paul, Blockley.

Mike Wells