Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Woolhouse, a coal miner, born in the April quarter of 1859 in Swinderby, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 3rd April 1859 in All Saint’s Church, Swinderby, Lincolnshire (son of William Woolhouse, 1833 and Mary Weaver, 1829) and his wife Mary Frances Woolhouse (nee Keeling, married on the 3rd October 1891 in St. Nicholas’s Church, Nottingham), born on the 1st June 1868 in Nottingham and baptised on the 26th May in St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church, Nottingham (daughter of Francis Keeling, 1836-1914 and Sarah Offiler, 1840-1896). Frank William was born in the October quarter of 1895 in Pinxton, Derbyshire and was baptised on the 6th January 1895 in St. Helen’s Church, Pinxton, Derbyshire, his siblings were, Sarah Elizabeth, born 2nd September 1892 and baptised on the 25th December 1892 and Henry Edward, born 25th May 1897 and baptised on the 20th June 1897, both his siblings were born in Pinxton, in March 1901 the family home was at 34, Kirkstead, Pinxton. Frank’s father died on the 26th November 1907 in Coalville, aged 48. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a coal miner at Whitwick Colliery and was residing in the family home at 70, Albert Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Henry, a coal miner, Edward, born in the April quarter of 1901 and baptised on the 2nd June 1901 in St. Helen’s Church, Pinxton and Dick, born in the January quarter of 1904 and baptised on the 7th February 1904 in St. Helen’s Church, Pinxton, the latter two siblings were both born in Pinxton and Joseph William, born 21st April 1906 in Coalville. Frank’s widowed mother married Thomas Warren in the January quarter of 1913 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district. Frank later had a half blood sibling, Gertrude Frances, born 1913 in Coalville.
Frank enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 26th November 1914 in Coalville, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 3440. He gave his place of birth as Pinxton, Alfreton, Derbyshire and age as 19 years 11 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as collier.
His medical examination took place in Coalville on the 26th November 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 11 months., that he was 5 feet 4½ inches in height, weighed 126 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his step father, Thomas Warren, mother Mary Frances Warren, brother Henry Edward Woolhouse, sister Nellie Warren.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 26/11/14.
Embodied Service commenced. Pte. 26/11/14.
Embarked. 25/6/15.
Disembarked. 26/6/15.
Admitted to Hospital. Shrapnel wound to hand and shock. In the Field. 23/7/15.
Discharged to duty. From No.3 Stationary Hospital. Rouen. 23/8/15.
Transferred. To 46th Divisional Base Depot. 23/8/15.
Proceeded to join unit. In the Field. 27/9/15.
Reported missing believed killed. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Presumed dead on or since. 13/10/15.
Struck off strength. Pte. 13/1/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 26/11/14 – 24/6/15. 211 days.
France. 25/6/15 – 13/10/15. 111 days.
Total Service. 322 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Frank’s surviving service record amounts to a total of 13 pages, and these are in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
On the 30th May 1918 Frank’s mother was awarded a weekly Army Pension of seven shillings and six pence for life, to commence on the 3rd May 1918.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by Machine Gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of “A” and “B” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
On Tuesday, October 26th,1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private F. W. WOOLHOUSE, 2nd/5th Leicester’s, whose mother resides at 79, Albert-street, Park-road, Coalville, was killed during the recent attack upon the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On a previous occasion he was injured in a trench, being blown up, and spent a short time in the Rouen Base Hospital. Deceased was formerly a member of the Coalville Swifts and Coalville East End Football Clubs. He was 21 years of age.
On Friday, October 29th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER’S WHO HAVE FALLEN.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. F. WOOLHOUSE, 2nd/5th Leicester’s, killed on Oct. 13th. Son of Mrs. T. Warren, 79, Albert-street, Coalville.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1915

Coalville Soldier Killed - One of five from a family in the forces

Mrs Warren, of 79, Albert Street, Coalville, has received news of the death of her son, Pte. Frank William Woolhouse, of the B. Co. 5th Leicestershire Territorials, killed in action during the recent severe fighting when the fifths took two German trenches at the point of the bayonet. The news is not official, but has arrived from two separate sources – in letters from friends of the deceased soldier, Pte. Cato, of Park Road, Coalville, and Pte. Cross, of Hugglescote. Woolhouse was only 20 years of age and before enlisting worked at the Whitwick Colliery. He was a popular member of the Coalville Swift’s F.C., being a very capable forward. His father, Edward Woolhouse was accidently killed in the Whitwick Colliery about 8 years ago.

The last time Mrs Warren heard from her boy was the receipt of a letter dated, Saturday, October 9th, in which he wrote acknowledging receipt of a parcel and letter and a photo and stating that he was quite well. Woolhouse was one of five members from the same family serving in the forces. His step-father, Pte. Thomas Warren, of the 2nd Leicesters, was wounded in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, being close behind Corpl. Jack Sheffield, when the latter received his fatal shot, and Warren is now in camp near Hull. He was formerly a miner engaged at the Snibston pit. His son Pte. Walter Warren, in the Norfolk Regiment, was also wounded about a month ago, and is now at a convalescent home in Norfolk. He was a young miner at the Whitwick pit. Another son, Thomas Edmund Warren, is in the Royal Marines and Gunner Joseph Hall, another step-son of Warren, is in the R.F.A.

Research undertaken and submitted (Including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 09/09/2017