Frank Cumberledge 1862-1938

Corporal 221136 Road Transportation Depot Royal Engineers

Frank was almost 55 years old when he joined the Royal Engineers on 30th December 1916. However, his WW1 service records his age as 50 years old. For 22 years Frank had been a bricklayer and latterly as a Foreman Bricklayer working for Bowles & Son, Contractors at Gladstone Street, Leicester. Frank was living at 43 Dronfield Street, Leicester at the time and he was physically described as:

• Age: 50 years
• Height: 5 feet 8½ inches
• Girth fully expanded: 44 inches, range 2½ inches

Frank joined his Royal Engineers regiment on 2nd January 1917. On the 12th February 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and a few days later on 14th February 1917 he was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France . This promotion was made permanent on 25th April 1917. He was transferred to the road transportation depot on 6th November 1917 and returned home. Frank was discharged as being no longer physically fit for War Service under para 392 XVI King’s Regulations 1 January 1918 after serving for 1 year and 3 days.

Frank was born in 1862 and was the son of Thomas Cumberledge and his wife Ruth nee Everton. Frank married Sarah Jane Bailey on Christmas Day 1893 but she died in 1907 and Frank remarried in 1909. He married Eleanor Maud Cole nee Sharpe on 12th April 1909 in Leicester. Frank died shortly after his wife had died in the year 1938.

WW1 Service Record Frank Cumberledge

SHORT SERVICE

(For the Duration of the War)

No: 221136                     Name: Frank Cumberledge                       Corps: RE [Royal Engineers]

Name:                                            Frank Cumberledge

Address:                                        43 Dronfield Street, Leicester

British Subject:                              Yes

Age:                                               50 Years

Occupation:                                   Bricklayer

Married:                                        Yes

Served in Forces before: 1^st Leicester Private No. 1558

Truly stated service:                     Yes

Willing to be vaccinated:             Yes

Willing to be enlisted for General Service?            Yes

Oath at Leicester 30^th December 1916

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT

Name: Frank Cumberledge

Age: 50 years

Height: 5 feet 8½ inches

Girth fully expanded: 44 inches, range 2½ inches

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and Address of next of kin: Ellena Maude Cumberledge, 43 Dronfield Street, Leicester; Relationship: Wife

Particulars as to Marriage

1. Christian and Surname of Woman to whom married, and whether spinster or widow. (b( Place and date of marriage. (c) Present address. (d) Signature of Officer verifying entry from certificate.
2. Ellena Maude Cole Widow
3. 12 April 1909 Leicester

Particulars as to children

Christian Names, Date and Place of Birth

• Charles Boyden Aug
• Ethel Irena
• Gerald Deane [Geraldine] Margaret (Coles) 2^nd July 1901 East Pk Rd Leicester

Service towards limited engagement reckons from 2 Jan 1917

Joined at Leicester on 2 Jan 1917

RE         RCC                     Posted 2 Jan 1917

              310 Co[mpan]y  Promoted           Lance Corporal  12 Feb 1917

                                         Embarked B.E.F. France Lance Corporal              14 Feb 1917

                                         Appointed paid A/Corporal 25 Apr 1917?

              310 Rd Con. Co. Promoted Corporal 25 Apr 1917

              Road 2.D. Transfd Corporal 6 Nov 1917

              Discharged no longer physically fit for War Service para 392 XVI King’s Regulations 1 Jan 1918

Campaigns

Home 2 Jan 1917 to 13 Feb 1917

BEF [British Expeditionary Force] 14 Feb 1917 to 6 Nov 1917

Home 7 Nov 1917 to 1 Jan 1918

Total Service towards Engagement to 1 Jan 1918 (date of discharge) 1 years 3 days

Total Service towards Pension to 1 Jan 1918 (date of discharge) 1 years 3 days

Inside Sheet

(For Original Attestation)

No. 221136                     Name Cumberledge

Registry No: R7

From whom: Req for Docs

Purport and Date: Rec 14 Dec 1917 B179 App: 11 Dec 1917 Docs Rec:

Ministry of Pensions

Discharged – no longer physically fit for War Service, para. 392 XVI King’s Regulations 1 Jan 1918

Information to be obtained from a Soldier (Regular or Territorial) whom it is proposed to discharge or to transfer to the Reserve Section W or W(T) in substitution for a man fit for General Service.

No. 221136

Rank: Corporal

Name: Cumberledge Frank

Regiment: R.T.S., R.E.

Name and address of your last employer: Bowles & Son, Contractors, Gladstone Street, Leicester

Nature of employment and how long employed: Foreman, 22years

Nature and locality of employment desired: Builders Foreman in Leicester District

Notification by President of Medical Board of Approval of a Soldier’s Discharge under Paragraph 392 (xvi) King’s Regulations.

To the Officer i/c Records: Chatham

The Soldier named below has appeared before an Army Medical Board at this station, and his discharge from the Service as “no longer physically fit for War Service” has this day been approved. (The discharge will be confirmed for a date 14 days after the date on this notification, see A.C.I. 1623 of 1916)

Soldier’s surname: Cumberledge, Christian names: Frank

Regt. No. and Rank: 221136 Cpl Regt. or Corps: Rd T. R/E

His address on discharge will be 43 Dronfield St, Leicester

The Soldier states that Separation allowance is being issued in respect of him.

Labour Centre

Station: Aldershot

Date: 11 Dec 1917

H Chambers Capt RAMC President of Board (Approving Officer)

ROYAL ENGINEERS REGIMENT OR CORPS

ROLL of INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal granted under Army Orders 266 and 301 of 1919.             26210

Chatham

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

4 Jan 1918 No R.E. 1400 WAR OFFICE

Chatham, 2nd January 1918

Medal Index Card