Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Smith Jarman, an ordinary farm labourer, born in the January quarter of 1860 in Gretton, Rutland (son of Thomas Jarman and Rebecca Smith) and his wife Hannah Jarman (nee Leeson, married on the 6th July 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby, Leicestershire), born in the July quarter of 1863 in Beeby and baptised on the 6th September 1863 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby (daughter of Francis Leeson and Catherine Newton). Neville Frank was born on the 31st March 1896 in Beeby and baptised on the 30th August 1896 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby, his siblings were, Doris Catherine, born on the 16th November 1897 and baptised on the 10th April 1898 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby and Victoria Mary, born on the 24th May 1900 and baptised on the 24th June 1900 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby, both his siblings were born in Beeby, in March 1901 the family home was at Little Beeby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Neville was absent from the family home at Beeby, residing there was his father, a general farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Mary, a schoolgirl and Claude Alfred, a schoolboy, born on the 20th September1901 in Beeby and baptised on the 13th October 1901 in All Saint’s Church, Beeby, meanwhile Neville was employed as a farm servant and was residing as a servant at Beeby House, Beeby.
FAMILY NOTE: Although officially recorded at birth as Neville Frank Jarman, following the 1901 census the Christian name of Frank appears to have been his preferred name, and he enlisted and served as Frank Jarman.
Frank enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 23rd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 15436. He gave his place of birth as Beeby, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 180 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as farm labourer.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 23rd September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Beeby, Leicestershire, declared age as 19 years 180 days, trade or occupation as farm labourer, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches, his vision was described as R.D6. L.D6. his physical development and pulse rate was described as good, 65. Enlisted at Leicester on the 23rd September 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years 180 days, height 5-feet 8 inches weight 140 lbs, chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 23rd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Jarman, mother, Hannah Jarman, one brother, two sisters, Brewery Cottages, Beeby, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 23/9/14.
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/14.
Posted. To 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Aldershot. 29/9/14.
Posted. To Folkestone. 28/2/15.
Posted. To Perham Down. 8/4/15.
Embarked. From Folkestone. 29/7/15.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 18/11/15.
Admitted. To 48th Field Ambulance. In the Field.18/11/15.
Died of wounds. 18/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 23/9/14 – 28/7/15. 309 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 18/11/15. 113 days.
Total Service. 1 year 57 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 17-19 Nov-15 - TRENCHES LEFT SECTOR. Work as above. Situation very quiet. Wind Northerly. 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the trenches complete at 10.15am. Battalion returned to billets at BEILES. Baths for the men commenced at once and completed on morning of 18th. Work parties each day of 100 men on village defences, 200 men in the trenches and 100 at night under supervision of ROYAL ENGINEERS. Leave granted an average for week 15 all ranks (8 days leave).
On Saturday, December 4th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – Leicestershire and the War. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The casualty list issued for publication to-day shows that Private F. JARMAN, of the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, has died of wounds, and that Private A. E. UPPERTON, of the same Battalion has been wounded.