Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Arthur Biddle a shoe trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1862 in Leicester (son of James Biddle, 1839-1918 and Lucilla Wilday, 1840-1911) and his wife Jane (Mary Jane) Biddle, (nee Wigglesworth, married on the 2nd February 1882 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, Leicestershire), a hosiery trade seamer, born in the April quarter of 1858 in Ratby (daughter of Joseph Wigglesworth, 1825 and Catherine Moore, 1824). Frank was born on the 28th January 1889 in Ratby and baptised on the 14th April 1889 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, his siblings were Beatrice Annie, born on the 1st November 1883 and baptised on the 20th January 1884 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby and Lucilla, born in the October quarter of 1885, both his siblings were born in Ratby, in April 1891 the family home was at Church Lane, Ratby. Lucilla died, aged 15 years in October 1900 and was interred on the 20th October in Ratby Cemetery.
In March 1901 Frank was residing in the family home at Main Street, Ratby, together with his father, a shoe trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Beatrice, William Orton, born on the 26th November 1891 and baptised on the 21st February 1892 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, Arthur, born on the 29th August 1895 and baptised on the 20th October 1895 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby and Bertie, born on the 11th July 1900 and baptised on the 16th December 1900 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby, the latter three siblings were all born in Ratby, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Ratby.
In April 1911 Frank was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing at Berry’s Lane, Ratby, together with his wife Sarah Ann Biddle (nee Barnett, married on the 2nd August 1909 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby), born on the 17th July 1888 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire (daughter of Frederick Barnett, 1858 and Eliza Hall, 1862). Frank and Sarah had two children, Sidney Dennis, born on the 16th January 1913 and Frederick William Orton, born on the 5th October 1916, both children were born in Ratby.
Frank’s mother died aged 52 on the 9th August 1911 and his father died aged 51 in February 1912 and was interred on the 14th February 1912 in Ratby Cemetery.
Frank’s younger brother William, fell in action on the 15th September 1916.
Frank’s widow married George Albert Ball on the 30th May 1925 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Ratby (son of James Ball).
FAMILY NOTE: Frank was officially recorded at birth with the surname spelling of Biddle, however he enlisted and served using the surname spelling of Biddles.
Frank enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 27th November 1916 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 33763. He gave his age as 27 years 5 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as hosiery hand. He gave his present address as Berry’s Lane, Ratby, Leicestershire.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 25th October 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Ratby, Leicestershire, declared age as 27 years, trade or occupation as hosiery, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 118 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=9. L.E.-V=9. Enlisted at Leicester on the 6th June 1916. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 33763.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 27 years 5 months, height 5-feet 6 inches and chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, none recorded.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Sarah Ann Biddles, Berry’s Lane, Ratby, 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.
Attested. 6/6/16.
Transferred to. Army Reserve. 6/6/16.
Mobilized. 27/11/16.
Joined. At Leicester. 27/11/16.
Posted. To Depot. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/11/16.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Patrington Camp. 3/12/16.
Embarked. From Folkestone. 16/3/17.
Posted. To 6th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Calais. 18/3/17.
Posted. To 7th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Calais. 6/4/17.
Joined. 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 17/4/17.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 12/6/17.
Admitted. To 63rd Field Ambulance. Shotgun wound right shoulder. In the Field. 12/6/17.
Admitted. To 21st Divisional Rest Station. In the Field. 13/6/17.
To duty. In the Field. 19/6/17.
Rejoined. 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 19/6/17.
Wounded in action. Gassed. In the Field. 24/12/17.
Died. 25/12/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 27/11/16 – 16/3/17. 110 days.
France. 17/3/17 – 25/12/17. 284 days.
Total Service. 1 year 29 days.
He was awarded the 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.
The War Diary records: 24 Dec-17 - FRONT LINE, X.20.c – 26.a. 5.30am. 11 killed and 21 wounded (gassed) by a gas shell (5.9) on a cellar.
On the 25th June 1918, Frank’s widow Sarah Ann of Berry’s Lane, Ratby, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty-five shillings and five pence for herself and her two children, commensurate on the 8th July 1918.
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