Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Beeton French, a seeds man, born 17th February 1860 in Melrose Hall Lodge, Wandsworth, Surrey and his wife Mary Eleanor French (nee Macklby, married in the 4th quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Wartnaby, Leicestershire. Aubrey was born in the 2nd quarter of 1897 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 16th May 1897 in the parish church, Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Lilian, born 1892 and Ida, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 23 & 24, Market Place, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Aubrey was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Market Place, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a seeds man and fruiterer, his mother and siblings, Lilian, a milliner and Ida, a schoolgirl. Aubrey was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-17 - ELM TREE CORNER. 2.00am. Battalion Headquarters established forward for the attack at ELM TREE CORNER D.20A.05.60. 3.50am. Bombardment started. 5.50am ZERO hour, the Battalion went over to capture all enemy positions on HILL 37 sheet 28.NE1, D.20A.45.80, “A” and “B” Companies in front line each two platoons in front line, 1 platoon in support, “D” Company in support. 2nd Lieutenant BOWIE killed, Captain O. H. FIELDEN wounded, 2nd Lieutenant F. D. FARLEY wounded. Platoons kept within 100 yards of barrage and in some cases closer, general tendency was to get too close to barrage. Hostile strong point caused little difficulty as leading waves were close under barrage. 6.50am. All objectives taken. Lieutenant Colonel G. B. G. WOOD wounded, 2nd Lieutenant L. ROWBATHAN wounded. Bombardment of both sides continued during whole day. Battalion Headquarters established in Pill Box on HILL 37, D.20A.65.85. 4.00pm. Enemy counter-attack beaten back, Captain W. H. OLIVER, Lieutenant C. H. L. WYNNE wounded. Lieutenant Colonel G. GERMAN took command of the Battalion. Battalion Headquarters moved to Pill Box D.20A.7.8. Artillery very active on both sides during night of September 26th/27th.
The War Diary records: 27 Sep-17 - HILL 37. Artillery on both sides very active during the day, Battalion relieved part of 2/5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and part of the 2/5th SHERWOOD FORESTERS in the front line.
On Friday October 12th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. A report extensively circulated in Melton Mowbray last week that Pte. Aubrey French, of the Leicester’s, had been killed in action unfortunately proved only too true, for on Tuesday morning his widowed mother, Mrs John Beeton French, who resides at 36, Leicester Street, Melton, received the following letter. “Dear Mrs French, - I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son, Pte. A. French, was killed in action on the 26th September. I know many Melton boys have given their lives in a great cause, and your son died doing his duty as nobly as the rest, and we all feel his loss keenly. With my sincerest sympathy in your great loss, yours sincerely, Stanley Steel, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased who was Mrs French’s only son, was 20 years of age, and was well known and highly respected in the town. He joined the Boy Scouts in 1913, and was a drummer at the time of his enlistment in the Territorial’s, at the age of 17½ years, in November 1914. He went through the Irish rebellion, and came home on his final leave last February, being shortly afterwards sent out to France. He was apprenticed with Mr W. Barnes, draper, and had served two years and nine months when he joined up. Deceased’s cousin, Sergt. Harry French of the Lincoln’s, only son of Mr and Mrs Harry French, Dawsmere, Lincolnshire, and formerly of Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray, was killed a month ago as the result of the explosion of a shell in a dug out. He was 21 years of age, and was expected home the following week with a view to receiving a commission.
On Friday November 9th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following local casualty was included in the official list published on Friday:- KILLED.- LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. French, 241165 A. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. FRENCH. – In loving memory of Aubrey, the dearly loved and only son of M. E. and the late J. B. French, killed in action Sept. 26th, 1917.
To live in hearts we leave behind.
Is not to die.