Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Elizabeth, and stepson of Charles Caldwell and the husband of Rosina Eliza Zanker (nee Grace), he left three children. The family background is as follows, Elizabeth was unmarried when Frederick was born, she later married Charles Caldwell (fifteen years her senior) in 1884 in Melton Mowbray, in the 1891 census Frederick is listed as Charles Caldwell’s stepson. Frederick William Zanker’s mother was Elizabeth Ann Zanker born in 1860 in Billesdon, his grandfather was David Zanker born in 1836 in Billesdon who was the brother of Amos Zanker born 1833 in Billesdon. Frederick William married Rosina Eliza Grace in 1901 in Melton Mowbray, in the 1901 census they had just married and were both boarding at 20 Mill Street, Melton Mowbray, his occupation is listed as a house painter. In the 1911 census they are living at 21 Cradock Road, Leicester, Frederick is still listed as a house painter – they have three children, Margery Grace born in 1902 at Melton Mowbray, Frederick William born 1905 in Melton Mowbray and Louisa born in 1910 in Knighton, Leicester. The memorial shows his initials as M. W. On Friday June 8th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON MAN KILLED.- Official news has been received that Pte. F. W. Zanker, of the Leicestershire Regt., was killed in action on May 3rd. He was a son of Mr and Mrs Howlett, 17, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, and worked for the late Mr Richd. Shipley, painter and decorator, prior to leaving Leicester, where he was employed by Messrs. Mawby and Sons, Union Street, for 12 years. Deceased was educated at the Church Boy’s School, and also belonged to the Wesleyan Sunday School. He was 37 years of age, and leaves a widow and three children who reside at 71, Hartopp Road, Leicester. Pte. Zanker joined the colours on Nov. 26th 1915, went to France on April 17th last year, and was wounded on June 8th, but remained abroad. He has three brothers still serving. The War Diary for the 3rd May 1917 records. BOYELLES. The attack on the village of FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES was made on this day. There were three objectives, 1st SENSEE RIVER from approximately T.18.b.5.3. to U.2.b.5.5. 2nd junction of SENSEE RIVER and SUNKEN ROAD at T.18.b.5.3. – U.7.c.6.5. – U.7.d.7.8. – U.14.a.7.2. – U.4.c.4.3. The 64th Infantry Brigade to bomb south eastwards down HINDENBURG LINE. Two tanks were attached to the 110th Infantry Brigade. Zero hour was at 3.45am (summer time) and the attack started under a creeping barrage. The Battalion was disposed in two waves of two lines each, with a wave of moppers up behind. From right to left “A” Company (Lt. J. R. GLOVER) “B” Company (Captain A. G. ASTLE) “C” Company (Major T. L. WARNER) formed the line of attack each Company having a two platoon frontage. “D” Company (2nd Lt J. W. CORBETT) was drawn up in two lines, 60 yards in rear. The formation was two waves, each of two lines 10 yards between lines and 60 yards between waves with “D” Company as moppers up. The 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT attached on the left of the Battalion. On the right, the flank was secured by the possession of the HINDENBURG LINE as far as the BLOCK, beyond this the flank was to be secured by the 64th Infantry Brigade. Bombing attack down the line. The morning was very dark, sunrise was not until 5.23am (summer time), the dust and smoke from our own barrage and that of the enemy which opened almost simultaneously, making it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Direction was lost rather early and the line swung over to the right, being compelled thereto by the 18th Division on the left, crossing the front of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and pressing then to the right. By 6.00am it became evident that the attack had failed. No progress had been made by the 64th Infantry Brigade bombers in the HINDENBURG LINE, and the front of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was outflanked, in parts surrounded, and with a prospect of being cut off. The left flank (“C” Company) had been held up by excessive machine gun fire and took up a position in the sunken road running into FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES through U.1.b. The remainder of the Battalion were on a line roughly 300 yards south of the jumping off place BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c. and d. to road in O.31.c. Here the Battalion remained and at about 11.30am, it was reinforced by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. This line was held throughout the day and consolidated. No assistance was given by the two Tanks during the attack, both of them breaking down. The following casualties were suffered by the Battalion during the action, Officers. Captain A. G. ASTLE and 2nd Lt. F. E. PRATLEY killed, Major T. L. WARNER, 2nd Lt. G. B. JOHNSON, 2nd Lt. R. J. HARRIS, 2nd Lt. R. L. SENNETT and 2nd Lt. P. H. HILL wounded, Lt. F. R. OLIVER missing believed wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt. F. W. H. CLARKE wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt’s F. B. PITTS and W. HARRIS Prisoner’s of War. Other Ranks. Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers, 291 other ranks.