Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Sturgess, a framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1840 in Oadby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 13th February 1841 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby (son of Henry Sturgess, 1820-1898 and Elizabeth Thompson, 1822-1892) and his wife Jane Sturgess (nee Colver, married on the 26th December 1859 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby), born on the 4th May 1841 in Knighton, Leicester and baptised on the 12th October 1851 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby (daughter of Joseph Colver, 1811 and Jane Smith, 1821). Frank was born in the January quarter of 1881 in Oadby, his siblings were, John Henry, a shoe trade finisher, born in the January quarter of 1860 and baptised on the 9th September 1860 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, George, a bricklayer’s labourer, born in the July quarter of 1864 and baptised on the 4th June 1865 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, Thomas, a framework knitter, born in the October quarter of 1866, William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1869, Edward, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1871, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1874 and Martha, a schoolgirl, born in the October quarter of 1877, all his siblings were born in Oadby, in April 1881 the family home was at New Lane, Oadby. In the October quarter of 1899 Frank’s father died, aged 59 years in Oadby. In March 1901 Frank was employed as a shoe maker and was residing in the family home at Spencer Street, Oadby, together with his widowed mother and siblings, William, a butcher’s labourer, Edward, a shoe maker and Martha a sock trade machinist. In the October quarter of 1909 Frank’s mother died, aged 68 years, in Oadby. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a tramway conductor and was residing in the family home at 6, Spencer Street, Oadby, together with his siblings, William, now the head of the family and a jobbing gardener, Edward a farm labourer and Martha, a hosiery trade hose welter.
FAMILY NOTES: Frank also had another older sibling, Hannah, born in the April quarter of 1862 in Oadby and baptised as Anne on the 4th June 1865 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby. Frank was known as Dick Sturgess.
On the 12th November 1912, Frank married Lilian Gertrude Yeates, in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, Lilian was born on the 24th December 1889 in Horninglow, Staffordshire and baptised on the 11th May 1890 in the Church of St. John the Divine, Horninglow (daughter of Alfred Richards Yeates and Agnes Goodhead). Frank and Lilian had a son, Stanley Thomas who was born on the 17th August 1913 in Oadby and baptised on the 21st September 1913 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby. In the January quarter of 1922, Frank’s widow married Edwin Coleburt Hodge in Coventry, Warwickshire.
Frank enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 5th October 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 15600. He gave his place of birth as Oadby, Leicestershire and age as 33 years 300 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as tram conductor, presently in the employ of Leicester Corporation.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 5th October 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Oadby, Leicestershire, declared age as 33 years 300 days, trade or occupation as Leicester Corporation tram conductor, that he was 5-feet 9 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 38½ inches, his vision was described as R.E.D6. L.E.D6 his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as [not recorded], height 5-feet 9 inches weight 140 lbs, chest measurement of between 36½ and 38½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, nil. He gave his religion as Baptist.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 5th October 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Lilian Gertrude Sturgess, son, Stanley Thomas Sturgess, 49, Cross Street, Oadby, 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. 5/10/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/10/14.
Posted. To 6th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 25/10/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 15/1/15.
Admitted. To Frensham Hill Hospital, Farnham, Surrey, bronchitis. 16/3/15.
Discharged. From Hospital. 16/4/15.
Reverts to Private. At his own request. 25/5/15.
Disembarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To -?- Field Ambulance. In the Field. 25/6/16.
Evacuated. In the Field. 25/6/16.
Admitted. 19th Casualty Clearing Station, P.U.O. In the Field. 25/6/16.
Transferred to 1st General Hospital, Etretat. 29/6/16.
Transferred. To England per Hospital Ship Asturias. 1/7/16.
Admitted. To Reading War Hospital, Berkshire, debility and loss of appetite. 3/7/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/7/16.
Discharged. From Hospital. 17/7/16.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/7/16.
Embarked. From Folkstone. 10/8/16.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. Calais. 11/8/16.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/8/16.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/8/16.
Joined. 9th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. In the Field. 29/8/16.
Admitted. To 63rd Field Ambulance, N.Y.D., pyrexia and fever. In the Field. 29/8/16.
To Hospital. 30/8/16.
Transferred. To 21st Divisional Rest Station. In the Field. 30/8/16.
Discharged. From 21st Divisional Rest Station. In the Field. 10/9/16.
Joined. 9th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. In the Field. 10/9/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 1/10/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 5/10/14 – 28/7/15. 297 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 2/7/16. 339 days.
Home Service. 3/7/16 – 10/8/16. 39 days.
France. 11/8/16 – 1/10/17. 1 year 52 days.
Total Service. 2 years 362 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.
On the 31st May 1918, Frank’s widow, Lilian Gertrude Sturgess of 49, Cross Street, Oadby, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty shillings and five pence for herself and her son, commensurate on the 10th June 1918.
The War Diary records: 1 Oct-17 TRENCHES IN FRONT OF POLYGON WOOD, J.16.a.7.9 to J.10.c.7.6. At 4.00 am Situation reported normal by Companies. At 5.25 am enemy put down a heavy barrage on front Company and POLYGON WOOD, and at the same time put up a smoke screen all along the Battalion front. At 5.27 am the enemy attacked through the smoke screen. S.O.S. sent up. First wave of the enemy were driven off by “A” Company by Lewis Gun and rifle fire. Captain A. A. D. LEE M.C. killed. At 5.30 am the enemy second wave driven off on our front, but enemy attack on Battalion of right flank successful. Right flank of “A” Company (front line Company) threatened. At 5.40 am 2 platoons of “D” Company (who were in reserve from J.10.c.1.3 to J.10.c.1.1) under Lieutenant Colonel P. E. BENT, D.S.O. and “B” Company (who were in support from J.10.c.6.4 to J.10.c.6.0) under Lieutenant BURN immediately counter-attacked enemy. Counter-attack was entirely successful and drove enemy from our front. Lieutenant Colonel BENT killed whilst leading the charge. At 5.45 am the enemy continued to make headway on our right flank in J.16.a and launched his 3rd wave against our front. Two platoons of “C” Company sent up to counter-attack enemy on our right flank. Lieutenant BURN killed. At 6.00 am “C” Company counter-attack reported to have stopped enemy advance. 2 platoons of “C” Company sent up to reinforce and to get in touch with troops on right flank who had been driven back some distance. Enemy attacking troops driven off but owing to heavy casualties in front Company, a defensive line was organised approximately 100 yards in rear of our front line, along the Eastern edge of POLYGON WOOD. Enemy shelling in POLYGON WOOD extremely heavy, causing many casualties. 2nd Lieutenant BARRATT killed. 2nd Lieutenant’s. FAULKNER, SCOTT and HALLAM wounded. “C” Company established a defensive flank from J.10.c.6.0 in front of CAMERON HOUSE to J.16.a.2.7. Full report sent to Brigade and reinforcements asked for. Enemy repeatedly attempted to advance but was driven back by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire, and the line was held against further attack. Touch with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was maintained throughout on our left, but touch could not be kept with the troops on our right. At 9.30 am reinforcements from the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT commenced to arrive, 2 platoons sent up to reinforce front line and right flank. Enemy continued to shell extremely heavily, particularly the western edge of POLYGON WOOD - GLENCORSE WOOD – BLACK WATCH CORNER track. The Companies of the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT who had suffered heavy casualties in the barrage and were approximately 70 strong in all arrived as reinforcements. One Company sent to the defensive flank in J.16.a and one Company sent to form a second line in J.10.c central, 100 yards inside the Eastern edge of POLYGON WOOD. Enemy shelling extremely heavy. Enemy aeroplanes were also very aggressive. One enemy plane flying 200 feet above our trenches was shot down by Corporal OUTHWAITE and landed in “no man’s land” where it was destroyed by shell fire. At 10.50 am no further enemy attack. Shelling still heavy. Many enemy stretcher bearers seen carrying Boche wounded. Enemy casualties appear to be very heavy. At 12.00 noon Major HOWITT, Officer Commanding 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT arrived at Battalion Headquarters J.10.c.1.2 with one Company of 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Major HOWITT took command of the sector. Enemy prisoners state that another attack will take place at dusk, all arrangements made accordingly. Consolidation and improvement of positions carried on throughout the afternoon. Movement extremely difficulty on account of snipers and Machine Gun fire. At 1.15 pm the enemy again commenced to shell heavily but did not attack. At 4.30 pm the enemy reported by front Company to be massing in CAMERON COVERT and coming over the slope J.10.b. These parties were dispersed by our fire. At 5.30 pm enemy shelling increased. At 7.00 pm S.O.S. from Brigade on our right. Our barrage came down almost at once and continued for an hour. No enemy movement seen after our barrage stopped. At 11.00 pm S.O.S. again reported on left and right. No enemy action on our front. Enemy fired thousands of Very lights during our bombardment but did not shell heavily. Night passed comparatively quietly after this.
On Friday October 1st, 1920, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page seven, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – STURGESS. – In ever-loving memory of my dear husband. Pte. F. (Dick) Sturgess, killed in action October 1st, 1917. Time changes many things. But loving memory always cling. – From his loving Wife and little son Stanley.
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