Frank's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Frank Ratcliffe was born in Macclesfield on 20 June 1894, the son of Ann (née Moss) and William Ratcliffe, a grocer. In 1901, six-year-old Frank was living at 30 Mill Lane, Macclesfield with his parents and older sisters Eliza (14) and Margaret (12). By 1911, Frank's father had died and the family was living at 4 Half St, Macclesfield.
Frank was educated at St George's School, attaining Standard Grade V, and after leaving school in 1907 he enrolled at Macclesfield Technical College to further his education; at that time he was employed as a baker. By 1911, Frank was working as a cord maker for a fancy trimming company, and at the time of his enlistment he was working at Carlisle's paper works.
WW1 SERVICE
Frank enlisted in Macclesfield in 1915 and after training was drafted overseas in August 1916. He unfortunately met his death three months later.
News of Frank's death was printed in the Macclesfield Times on 12 January 1917:
THE LATE PRIVATE F RATCLIFFE
Notification of the death in action of Private Frank Ratcliffe, Cheshire Regt, has been received by his mother, who lives at 4 Half St, Macclesfield. He was the son of the late Mr Wm Ratcliffe, who formerly carried on a grocer’s business in Mill Lane. Born in Macclesfield twenty-two years ago, he was educated at St George’s School and attended the Bourne Primitive Methodist Chapel and Sunday School, in which he was a teacher. He was also a member of the choir. Private Ratcliffe, who was employed at Messrs Carlisle’s paper works, enlisted two years ago and went out to France in August 1916.
COMMEMORATION
Private Frank Ratcliffe is buried in Grave Ref. IV. B. 40. in Le Touret Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
In Macclesfield, Private Frank Ratcliffe is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St George's Church and Bourne Primitive Methodist Chapel war memorials.
SOURCES
GRO birth index
England and Wales Census: 1901, 1911
National School Admission Registers (Find My Past)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 12 January 1917, 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.