Frank's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Frank Barlow was baptised on 24 December 1884 at Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church, the son of Lavinia (nee Lockett) and Richard Barlow, a silk weaver of 89 Arbourhey Road, Hurdsfield, Macclesfield. In 1891, six-year-old Frank was living at that address with his mother, whose employment was described as "Keeps a mangle," and older siblings Alfred (16), Elizabeth (15), Walter (13), Richard (11) and Mary Jane (9).
By 1901 Frank's mother had died; Frank was employed as a silk winder and was living with his widowed father and siblings Elizabeth, Walter and Richard.
Frank married Ethel Ann Dobson on 26 December 1908 at Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church and in 1911 the couple lived at 11 Vernon St, Macclesfield. Frank was still employed in the silk industry, now working as a filler in the silk dressing room.
WW1 SERVICE
Frank enlisted on 1st June 1916 and was drafted overseas in October 1916.
The death of Private Barlow was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 9 November 1917:
WIFE'S SAD VIGIL AT HUSBAND'S BEDSIDE IN FRANCE - Pte Frank Barlow, Manchester Regt, whose wife and child reside at 11 Vernon Street, Macclesfield, died in hospital in France on Nov 1st from wounds received in action in France. Pte Barlow was hit in both legs with gunshot on Oct 4th, and a comrade who was going down the line with a batch of German prisoners helped to bandage the deceased soldier, who was conveyed to the dressing station and afterwards to a hospital at Camiers.
Last Friday Mrs Barlow was informed she could go to see her husband, and she arrived in France on Sunday. Mrs Barlow first went to London and made the journey to France under the care of the Young Men's Christian Association, by whom she was treated very kindly. Arriving at Camiers about nine o'clock on Sunday night, Mrs Barlow was conducted to her husband's bedside and found him just conscious and able to recognise her. Pte Barlow had the right leg amputated below the knee, but unfortunately septic poisoning supervened and it was found necessary to amputate the limb higher up. The deceased soldier bore the operations, but passed away at 12.10 midnight on the 1st as stated, his wife being present.
The funeral took place at Etaples the following day, military honours being accorded. The committal service was read by a Church of England chaplain and seven other soldiers were laid to rest at the same time. The coffin was borne by soldiers and a volley was fired over the grave, the mournful ceremony being brought to a close by the sounding of the "Last Post". Mrs Barlow attended and a relative of one of the other soldiers was also present.
Pte Barlow was thirty-three years of age and a native of Macclesfield. he received his education at Hurdsfield school and was a member of Hurdsfield Church Men's Bible Class. In civil life the private was formerly employed as a filler in the dressing room of Messrs Brocklehurst's Mill, Hurdsfield, where he had been engaged for fourteen years. At the time of enlisting, on June 1st, 1916, he was employed at Messrs Catlow's, Silk Street Mill. Pte Barlow was drafted out to France thirteen months ago and came home on ten days' leave six weeks back. His brother, Pte Richard Barlow, is on military service. Mrs Barlow has two brothers serving in the Army: Pte Walter Dobson, Ches Regt (in Egypt) and Pte Harry Dobson (in training at Scarborough). Another brother, Pte Frank Dobson, Cheshire Regt, aged 21, met his death in action nearly two years ago. A brother-in-law, Corpl Sidney Blackshaw, East Yorks Regt, has been presumed dead.
COMMEMORATION
Private Frank Barlow is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery, France, in grave ref. XXX. H. 20A. His widow asked for the inscription "THY WILL BE DONE" to be added to his headstone.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Frank Barlow, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War website.
In Macclesfield, Private Frank Barlow is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church war memorials.
NOTES
Brother of Pte Richard Barlow, who also served. Brother-in-law of Pte Walter Dobson, who served in Egypt with the 1/7th Cheshire Regt; Pte Harry Dobson, who served with the 10th Cheshire Regt; and Pte Frank Dobson, who served with the 10th Cheshire Regt and was killed in action in November 1915.
SOURCES
Census (England & Wales): 1891, 1901, 1911
Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Parish Registers (Find My Past)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Lives of the First World War website
Macclesfield Times: 9 November 1917; 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.