Frank White - Cliffe History
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Frank White Frank White lived at Mortimer’s Farm with his parents, sister and four brothers. As a farmer’s son he, like his brothers, helped out and worked the farm too.
When war broke out Frank, along with two of his brothers: Frederick and Alfred, enlisted with Frank becoming a private in the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment (11th Battalion). During 1916 his regiment was involved in ‘The Battle of Flers-Courcelette’ and ‘The Battle of the Transloy Ridges’ where Frank was to be killed in action: dying of wounds he had received – his brothers survived the war.
The news of Frank’s death tolled heavily upon his mother who
never quite recovered from the shock of losing her son. Emily White died a few
years later and the loss was reported in the local newspaper:
“Death of Mrs. E.
White. – The greatest sympathy is felt for Mr. E. White, of Mortimer’s
Farm, Cliffe, in the irreparable loss he has sustained by the death of his
wife, which occurred at their residence on Monday, 11th, at the
comparatively early age of forty-three. The deceased lady suffered a severe
shock by the loss of her second son, Frank, who died from wounds in France in
the latter part of 1916, and her health had gradually given way. Another son
was home on leave at the time of her death. The funeral took place in Cliffe
parish churchyard on Monday afternoon, the remains being followed to the grave
by her husband, sons, and other relatives. The Rev. A. T. Wallis (rector)
impressively conducted the service. The coffin was covered with handsome floral
tributes from the bereaved husband, sons, relatives and friends. The funeral
arrangements were carried out by Messrs. George Gates and Sons, at Frindsbury.”