L.Cpl. F. Cowling

FIRST NAMES: Frank

UNIT: 5th Yorkshire Regiment

NUMBER: 201714 & 5796

STATUS: Died of Wounds

DATE OF DEATH: 21st June 1917

CEMETERY OR MEMORIAL: Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France

AGE: 20

Frank Cowling was baptised in Northallerton on 18th December 1896. He was the son of James and Frances Cowling of South Parade and his father was a Carrier. Frank was apprenticed to Messrs. Russell & Sons, who ran a grocery shop on the High Street in Northallerton, before joining the Army and sailing to France in 1916.

When he arrived in France he was employed on giving musketry training at the Base, before being sent into the line. He was badly wounded, suffering multiple gunshot wounds causing a broken foot and wounds in both legs, from which he was not to recover. He died from his wounds at the age of 20.

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission he was in the 4th Battalion but he is listed in "Soldiers Died" as being in the 5th Battalion. It is likely that he joined the 4th Battalion, as he enlisted in Northallerton, and was subsequently transferred to the 5th and received a new regimental number, which was not an uncommon occurrence. His pension records show both regimental numbers.

His official rank appears to have been a Lance Corporal, though he is recorded as a Corporal on the Memorial. To add to the confusion, his pension record states that he was a Lance Sergeant with the 5th Yorkshire Regiment.