SAMUEL
FRANK FELLOWS - 1898-1942
(Brian's
Father)
1898 Dec 4 - born -
19 Salisbury Road Smethwick
Samuel Frank (always known as Frank) was
the only son of Samuel and Eliza Fellows. The
family home was in Salisbury Road, off Cape Hill,
Smethwick. The grandparents lived in Frome,
Somerset. Frank went to school in Smethwick and was
awarded medals for perfect attendance: bronze for 3
years, silver for 5 years and gold for 7
years.
Frank left school
at 13 years of age and went to work at Guest, Keen
and Nettlefolds, the screwmakers on Cape Hill,
Smethwick, at first in a warehouse and then in the
offices. Frank was particularly keen on carpentry,
especially carving wooden ornaments and making
pieces of furniture. We still have a grandmother
clock that he made - actually Danny has it now.
The
First World War
In 1916
Frank joined the army in the First World War at the
age of 17 years. British Army WWI Service Records,
1914-1920 indicates that Frank joined up on 13 May
1916. He was in the 1st Battalion East Lancashire
Regiment (usually referred to as the 1st Lancs
Fusiliers) who were in the 4th Division in France
in 1916.
Frank
aged 17 in uniform
This regiment was
stationed at the most northern part of the Somme
front near Serre when the big offensive started on
1st July 1916. Men of the East Lancs went "over the
top", but few reached the enemy front-line. They
were heavily machine-gunned in 'no-mansland' and
casualties were very high. It may have been in this
battle that Frank was injured and lost his leg.
When Frank returned to Birmingham, his home street,
Salisbury Road, was decorated to welcome his return
from the war and a collection was made for him. He
was fitted with an artificial leg, but had
considerable difficulty getting used to it. See
Mary's school project which records her interviews
with Beatrice.
See William's video
of Peter and himself 'going over the top' at The
Somme as Frank must have done in 1916.
YouTube link to video . . . https://youtu.be/0cmmAMKSmFk