Private Frank Fleckney

Frank was born in Lambeth in 1899 to William and Jane (nee Stroud) Fleckney, and baptised at St. Mary Magdalene on 2 April 1899. Father William was a Blacksmith, and in 1901 the family lived at 22 Paulin Street, Bermondsey including Frank’s elder siblings, Mary, William, James, Thomas, John and their grandmother, Hannah Fleckney aged 70. According to various Baptism records, other possible siblings were Florence, Henry Edward, Mary, Eliza, Frederick and George.

The family seems to have gone through hard times, as Frank was admitted to the workhouse on several occasions. The first record is his admission to Newington Workhouse, Westmoreland Road on 29 October 1907 and his discharge two days later. Another record shows that Frank and his brother John were discharged again on 23 December that same year.

The 1911 Census shows Frank was an inmate at Central London District Schools, Hanwell, with his elder brother John. Many children were taught to play musical instruments, and went on to join army bands, several becoming Bandmasters. This was the case for John, who went on to become a Regimental Bandmaster. One of the school's famous inmates was Charlie Chaplin who left in 1898.

Frank enlisted at Kingston into the Bedfordshire Regiment and later transferred to 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. During the German Spring Offensive in 1918, his battalion were involved in the Fourth Battle of Ypres. Frank was killed in action on 23 April 1918, so it is likely that Frank was killed during the Battle of Lys (7 – 29 April 1918). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and on the Mitcham War Memorial. He was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

In 1918, Frank’s brother James was married at Christchurch, Mitcham, while living at 21 Miller Road, Mitcham. In 1924 his brother John was also married at Christchurch, while staying at the same address. This probably is the reason that Frank is commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial. Both brothers state on their marriage certificates, that their father William is deceased, but records show that after spells in various workhouses, he died in 1932 aged 76, so it is likely that the family were estranged from their father.