Frank's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Frank Meredith was baptised at St Peter's Church, Macclesfield on 25th November 1894, the son of Elizabeth (née Ridgway) and William Meredith, a circular sawyer, of 112 Vincent Street.
By 1901 the family had moved a short distance along the road to 102 Vincent Street and Frank was living with his parents and siblings Sarah (19), William (12), Lilian (10), Fred (4) and baby Harriett, 9 months old. Ten years later the family had moved again, this time to 42 Buckley Street, Macclesfield, and Frank was working as a 'silk bagman' - a travelling salesman, working for a silk broker. Of the twelve children born to Frank's parents, seven had died.
WW1 SERVICE
Frank attested at Macclesfield and after his initial training was drafted to France on 14th February 1915, serving in "D" Company of the 5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. The 5th Battalion formed part of the 14th brigade which progressed into Flanders and, along with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment, were engaged in hostilities, firstly at Gravenstafel, and then at Hill 60 and the second battle of Ypres, from 17th April to 25th May 1915. Frank was killed in action on 24th April 1915.
News of Frank's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 14 May 1915:
News was received in Macclesfield last week that Private Frank Meredith, son of Mr and Mrs Wm Meredith, Buckley Street, was killed in action on April 24th by shell fire. He was one of the Macclesfield members of the 7th Batt. Cheshire regiment who transferred tot he 5th for service at the front.
The sad intimation of his death was sent by Sergt J C King, 5th B.C.R., who wrote to Mr and Mrs Meredith: "I am sorry to tell you of Frank's death, killed by shell fire in the trenches. He never suffered for one minute, but died instantly...."
In civil life, the late Private Meredith was in the employ of Mr Bagnall, Sunderland Street.... The deceased soldier's brother, William Henry, is serving at the front with the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.
News of Frank's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 14 May 1915:
News was received in Macclesfield last week that Private Frank Meredith, son of Mr and Mrs Wm Meredith, Buckley Street, was killed in action on April 24th by shell fire. He was one of the Macclesfield members of the 7th Batt. Cheshire regiment who transferred tot he 5th for service at the front.
The sad intimation of his death was sent by Sergt J C King, 5th B.C.R., who wrote to Mr and Mrs Meredith: "I am sorry to tell you of Frank's death, killed by shell fire in the trenches. He never suffered for one minute, but died instantly...."
In civil life, the late Private Meredith was in the employ of Mr Bagnall, Sunderland Street.... The deceased soldier's brother, William Henry, is serving at the front with the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.
COMMEMORATION
Private Frank Meredith is buried in grave I.F.4., Spoilbank Cemetery, Belgium. His mother asked for the inscription “REST IN THE LORD” to be added to his headstone.
In Macclesfield, Frank Meredith is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St John's Church and Park Street Methodist Chapel memorials.
A silk bookmark in memory of Frank, printed with details of his death and with his photo affixed, was produced and is in the possession of a local family. No doubt many more of these were made, using locally-produced silk, in remembrance of those who died.
The bookmark reads:
In Loving Memory
of
PRIVATE
FRANK MEREDITH
No 2158
D Comp., 5th Cheshire Regt.
The Dearly Beloved Son of WILLIAM
and ELIZABETH MEREDITH.
Aged 20 Years;
Who was Killed in Action on
Hill 60, France,
April 24th 1915,
whilst serving with the
British Expeditionary Force
in the great European War against Germany and Austria.
Dear is the spot where our loved one is laid,
Dear is his memory, it will never fade;
Roses may wither, leaves cease to be,
Others may forget him, but never can we.
From Loving FATHER and MOTHER
42 Buckley Street
Macclesfield
NOTES
Brother of Fred Meredith, who served as Private 44115 in the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, and William Henry Meredith, who served with the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.
With thanks to Steve and the owner of the bookmark.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Brother of Fred Meredith, who served as Private 44115 in the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, and William Henry Meredith, who served with the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.
With thanks to Steve and the owner of the bookmark.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.