FRANK STANT 

C.W.G.C. remember a Frank Stant, Lance Corporal with the 8th Bn. Royal Bertshire Reg’t., Service No 36977 at the Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension, (1.l.13.), died on the 23rd March 1918 aged 21. Son of Walter and Ada Stant, of Northwich, brother of Harry Stant, of 5 Wallace St. Castle, Northwich.

Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Frank Stant in 1896, Winsford. The 1911 census has the Stant family living at 5 Wallace Street, Northwich. Head of the family is Walter, aged 39, Baker, born Malpas; Ada, wife, aged 39, born Whitchurch, son Frank aged 14, Jewellery shop boy, born Winsford; brothers Harry and Frederick aged 14 and 13, born Winsford and Northwich respectively; (both of an age to have enlisted) also a daughter Emma age 9 and son Percy Leonard aged 7, both born Northwich.

N.A.M.C. have a medal card for one lad named Frank Stant, Private, Cheshire Regiment, Service No 3049, then Royal Berkshire Regiment, Service No 36977. Awarded the British and Victory medals. The T.o.W. and D.o.E. had not been addressed nor is there any reference to his death.

Northwich Guardian 16th April 1918 ROLL OF HONOUR. REPORTED KILLED. LANCE CORPORAL FRANK STANT.

Mr. and Mrs Walter Stant were informed on Sunday that their son, Private Frank Stant, of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, had been killed in action. The news was received from a friend at the front who wrote to his parents, Mr and Mrs Blase, of John Street, Northwich. Private Stant whose home was at 5 Wallace Street, Castle was 21 years of age. Prior to joining the Army he was employed by Messrs Knight and Grimsditch, Greenbank Nurseries, as a gardener. As a boy he was a member of Castle Church choir for a number of years. Another brother, signaller Harry Stant is on active service with the Cheshire Regiment. (This article was repeated in the 19th April edition.)

Northwich Guardian 31st May 1918 LANCE CORPORAL FRANK STANT DIED. GLOWING TRIBUTE FROM OFFICER.

A fine tribute to the memory of a brave Castle soldiers – Lance Corporal F. Stant of the Royal Berkshire Regiment was paid in the following letter received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs Stant of 5 Wallace Street, from Company Quarter Master Sergeant L. E. Marshall:- “I feel sorry in a way to remind you again of your loss but feel that a few details may be a source of comfort. As regards his death, I believe from what I have been told that it was instantaneous and that this body was not touched in anyway. Death was due to shock from a shell exploding very close to him and after he had got into position with his gun team. I do not think I can possible describe to you what Frank was to us all. His bright, cherry way endeared him to everyone and he was a prime favourite with the company. For myself he worked with me as company clerk for some time and I loved him as though he had been my own son. Need I say how deeply I regret his early loss. We spent many pleasant hours together playing chess and it was always a delight to me to be in his company. As a N.C.O. he showed great promise and had a way of handling men under his charge that was in every way admirable. It was his bright cheerfulness and fearlessness that endeared him to all and much as regret him I cannot but feel that his life was far from wasted. You can always feel proud of the fact that he met his end face to face with the enemy – a soldier and a hero. It is my own deep sense of what I have lost in losing him that compels me to write and tender my deepest sympathy with you. A mother may well be proud of the memory of such a boy, whose life with us was blameless and most useful and whose death in his country’s cause was that of a hero.”

Lance Corporal Stant, who was 21 years of age was, as a boy, a character at Castle Church. Prior to enlisting he was a gardener at the nurseries of Messrs Knight and Grimsditch

Research Bob Heaton