Morning, Bit of a long shot, I fear. NOT commemorated on CWGC etc. etc. Frank Hale served as a Private in the Sherwood Foresters, the son of William and Elizabeth Hale of Darlaston and the brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Bednall of 12, Rollingmill Street, Walsall. He enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters in 1926 and served for 3 years in Ireland and the 8 years in India. Frank left on reserve and took a position in the girder department of Walker Brothers Limited of Pleck Road, Walsall. Called up on the outbreak of war, Frank was drafted to France and took part in the evacuation and was aboard the H.M.T. “Lancastria” when she was sunk. Following leave at home he began a long period of treatment at four different military hospitals. He finally died in Burntwood Hospital as a result of a blood clot on the brain on Saturday 12 August 1944. He was a single man of 42 years of age. Frank was buried in Ryecroft Cemetery, Walsall in Grave 30.3.186 during Thursday 17 August 1944. (NO gravestone now evident). Is there any way of finding out his battalion and service number at all ??? many thanks, Regards, Graeme
Looking at the photo can I assume you have access to FMP and have exhausted searches, i.e. casualty lists etc. You could apply for his service records.
Hi Frank is not on the roll of honour page of the lancastria website. Roll of honour | Lancastria Archive The same site however suggests that the 2nd and 5th Battalions were on board. General Information | Lancastria Archive You should email the above site and ask them if they are aware of Frank and maybe will add him to their roll of honour. email contact@lancastria.org.uk Given the seriousness of his injuries, I would have expected him to have popped up on the British Army casualty database on FMP, but alas no. There are some BEF experts on the forum who may have more info to hand. Hope this helps Gus