Frank's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Frank Makin was born in Macclesfield on 4 March and baptised on 26 April 1891 at St Peter's Church, Macclesfield, the son of Mary Jane and Francis Makin, a card cutter of 63 Cross Street, Macclesfield. By 1901 Frank's father had died and ten-year-old Frank was living at 170 Newton Street, Macclesfield with his widowed mother and siblings Louisa (26), Frederick (19), Ellen (15) and Harry (11).
Frank was educated at St George's School and, after leaving school and starting work as a warehouse boy, he enrolled at Macclesfield Technical School to further his education. When he enlisted in 1914, Frank was employed as a baker.
The family later moved to 118 Bond Street, Macclesfield.
WW1 SERVICE
Frank attested at Macclesfield on 31 August 1914, first joining the 9th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. He was transferred to the 19th Division Army Cyclist Company on the 18 January 1915 and later that year was drafted to France on 17 July.
On 25 May 1916 Frank was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was admitted to the 4th Scottish General Hospital at Stobhill, Glasgow on 11 July 1916 for treatment of an unknown ailment or injury.
After recovery Frank was drafted to Salonika, embarking from Marseilles on 8 January 1917 on the troop ship Minnetonka. It is not known precisely where or when Frank was injured, but on 19 September 1918 he was admitted to No. 43 General Hospital, south of Kalamaria, Salonika, suffering from a gunshot wound to his left leg and gas poisoning, and died there six days later from the effects of his wounds, gas poisoning and bronchial pneumonia.
Frank's mother placed an announcement of his death in the Macclesfield Times, published on 18 October 1918:
MAKIN - Died of wounds at 43 General Hospital, Salonica, September 25th, Lance-Corporal Frank Makin, youngest son of Mrs Makin, 118 Bond Street, aged 27. "Thy will, not mine, O Lord."
COMMEMORATION
Lance-Corporal Frank Makin is buried at the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece, in grave ref. 348. His mother asked for the inscription “THY WILL BE DONE” to be added to his headstone.
In Macclesfield, Lance-Corporal Frank Makin is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St John's Church war memorials, and on the Ancient Order of Foresters roll of honour.
NOTES
Brother of Frederick Makin, who served as Private 19206 with the Manchester Regiment, and Harry Makin, who also served.
SOURCES
Cheshire Parish Baptism Registers (Find My Past): St Peter's Church, Macclesfield
Census (England & Wales): 1891, 1901, 1911
WWI British Army Service Records 1914-1920
WWI British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Lives of the First World War website
Macclesfield Times: 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.