FRANK KEARSLEY 

Not listed on Weaverham St. Mary’s “Roll of Honour,” Frank is remembered on the Crowton memorial but the Guardian article below brings him in the Weaverham Parish.

Northwich Guardian Article, 22nd June 1917, P5/C1; ROLL OF HONOUR, KILLED, PRIVATE FRANK KERSLEY

Private Frank Kersley, of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, of Weaverham, has been killed in action. His widow is living with her mother in Church Street, Weaverham. A few days ago Mrs Kearsley was officially notified by the War Office that her husband was killed on June 2nd. He enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment in October, 1914, and on being sent to the front in March last, he was transferred to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Before joining the Army, Private Kearsley was in the employ of the Weaver Refining Co. and he and his wife then lived at Marsh Platt Crowton. (Note the article starts with the surname Kersley, as does the first line but the second sentence states Mrs Kearsley. It is this spelling which brings forth the right man and the appropriate information.)

Cheshirebmd records the marriage of a Frank Kearsley and a Rebecca Newton in 1908 at St. Mary’s Weaverham. Cheshirebmd/Freebmd record that they probably had four children, Elsie, 1909, (Elsie’s included on the 1911 census, the other children’s data includes the mothers maiden name.) Amy, 1911/14, Joseph W. 1915/17, and Frank, 1915/17, all born in Weaverham.

C.W.G.C. remember a F. Kearsley, Private at TILLOY BRITISH CEMETERY, TILLOY-LES-MOFFLAINES, France. He was with the 7th Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, Reg’t. No 26994 died on the 2nd June 1917. (There are no family details.)

N.A.M.C. - have a medal card for a Kearsley Frank, Corps: Cheshire Regiment No 59229, Private, also with King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Regiment No 26994, Private. Awarded the British and Victory medals, Theatre of War and Date of Entry not addressed.

Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Frank Kearsley born in Weaverham, 1886.

The 1911 census has the Kearsley family living in Crowton (That is as good as the address gets.)

Frank Head, age 24, Carter Creamery, born Crowton.

Rebecca Wife, age 22, Weaverham.

Elsie Daughter, age 1, Crowton.

The 1901 census has Frank living in the “village” Crowton, with his Mum and Dad and brothers George & Charlie.

Research Bob Heaton