Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Wesson a railway labourer, born 1833 in Harby, Leicestershire and his wife Maria Wesson (nee Smith, married on the 25th September 1865 in the Parish Church, Harby), born 1843 in Stathern, Leicestershire. Frank Williamson Wesson, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Harby and was baptised on the 8th May 1881 in the Parish Church, Harby, his siblings were, William Thomas Smith, a railway labourer, born 1864 and baptised on the 17th August 1864 in the Parish Church, Harby, Kezia, a schoolgirl, born 1868, Harry, a schoolboy, born 1871 and baptised on the 18th March 1871 in the Parish Church, Harby, Edward, a schoolboy, born 1873 and baptised on the 11th May 1873 in the Parish Church, Harby, Mary Hannah, a schoolgirl, born 1877 and baptised on the 11th March 1877 in the Parish Church, Harby and James, born 1879 and baptised on the 9th February 1879 in the Parish Church, Harby, all his siblings were born in Harby, in April 1881 the family home was at Harby. In April 1891 Frank was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Burden Lane, Harby, together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry, an agricultural labourer, Edward, an agricultural labourer, James, a schoolboy, Beatrice Anne, a schoolgirl, born 1883 and baptised on the 11th March 1883 in the Parish Church, Harby, Sarah Levina, a schoolgirl, born 1885 and baptised on the 13th December 1885 in the Parish Church, Harby and Ada Lucy, born 1888 and baptised on the 8th April 1888 in the Parish Church, Harby, the latter three siblings were all born in Harby. In March 1901 Frank was employed as a farm horseman and was residing in the family home at Stathern Road, Harby, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Harry a farm horseman, Edward a farm labourer, James a railway labourer, Beatrice a domestic servant, Sarah and Ada. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a general farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Burden Lane, Harby, together with his father, a pensioner, his mother and siblings, Harry a general farm labourer, Edward a general farm labourer, Beatrice and Ada.
Frank was enrolled into the Army (For men deemed to be enlisted in H.M. Regular Forces for General Service with the Colours or in the Reserve for the period of the War, or Ex Soldiers recalled for service with the Colours, under the provisions of the Military Service Acts, 1916) on the 14th April 1916 in Leicester. He gave his full address as Harby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 35 years and 46 days and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height, weighed 150 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches. After attestation on the 14/4/16 in Leicester he was transferred as Private, service number 12/28061 to the Army Reserve on the -?-. Mobilized on the -?-. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the -?-. Posted to the 12th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the -?-. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/8/16. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 30/8/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/8/16. Joined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 22/9/16. Wounded in action, in the field on the 19/10/16. Admitted to the 14th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to the left hand and shoulder on the 19/10/16. Transferred to the 48th Casualty Clearing Station on the 19/10/16. Admitted to the 14th General Hospital on the 22/10/16. Transferred to the 2nd Convalescent Depot on the 26/10/16. Transferred to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Calais on the 1/11/16. Joined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 19/11/16. Wounded in action, in the field on the 18/4/17. Admitted to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station on the 18/4/17. Died of wounds in the 7th General Hospital on the 20/4/17. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Frank’s sister Beatrice on the 25th August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by E. H. Stone, Clerk in Holy Orders, Harby Rectory, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Mother of soldier, Maria Wesson. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Wesson, age 55 of Orston. Harry Wesson, age 48 of Harby. Edward Wesson, age 46 of Harby. James Wesson, age 39 of Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Beatrice Wesson, age 36 of Harby. Lavinia Fawcett, age 33 of India. Ada Wesson, age 31 of Harby. Franks’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 18 Apr 17 - The Battalion were in the front line and that at 2.00am “C” Company of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT under the command of Captain G. H. U. COX raided the enemy’s trenches at H.13.c. 55.05 and H.13.c. 55.30 with the object of killing Germans and securing identifications. The following took part Captain COX officer commanding the raiding Company, Lieutenant DE NARE-WEBB, M.C. Officer Commanding the assaulting party, Lieutenant A. H. STEVENS Officer Commanding the 1st wave, 2nd Lieutenant A. WHERRY Officer Commanding the 2nd wave, 2nd Lieutenant C. H. WATSON was in charge of the torpedo and wire cutting party. Several dugouts were blown in containing Germans, several found dead in the front line as a result of our barrage, hostile Machine Gun destroyed by our bombers. One prisoner was bought back unwounded. We had the following casualties, 1 killed, 2nd Lieutenant A. WHERRY and 21 other ranks wounded, and remained at duty 3 other ranks. Missing Lieutenant A. L. STEVENS and 3 other ranks, Total 29. Raiders returned to billets at PHILOSOPHE at about 6.00am.
On Friday April 27th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HARBY” ANOTHER VICTIM.- Following the memorial service above mentioned, news was received by his parents on Tuesday morning last that Frank Wesson had died of wounds in France – wounded several months previously, deceased had gone into action again and died the true soldier’s death – fighting for King and country. He had only joined a few months when he was sent out into action. The deepest sympathy is felt in the village for the sorrowing relatives, as deceased had lived at home for many years. He was 36 years of age. This is the eighth victim from this village, while grave uncertainty is felt as to the fate of another, a large toll for our small village.
On Friday May 18th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HARBY” – MEMORIAL SERVICE.- On Sunday evening a memorial service was held in the Parish Church for Frank Wesson who died of wounds in France, as reported in a recent issue. There was a good congregation present to show sympathy with the relatives. Suitable hymns were sung, and the choir rendered the anthem. “What are these?” The Rector gave a most appropriate address from the words of Psalm exix, 75. At the close of the service the National Anthem was sung, and the “Dead March” was played on the organ.