FRANK MILLS

RANK: Private.

SERVICE NUMBER: 38545.

REGIMENT: 15th Bn.West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales's Own)(Leeds Pals)

BORN: Leeds.

ENLISTED: Leeds.

GAVE HIS LIFE: 03/05/1917.

AGED: 20.

CEMETERY: ARRAS MEMORIAL RANCE.

PANEL : Bay 4..

LEEDS MODERN:1908-1909.

Frank was the son Robert Born 1852 and Sarah E Born Leeds 1853.

Franks family had lived in Upper accomadation road at the beginning of the century Franks father worked as a Boot Maker possibly at one of the many factories located in the Burmantofts York Road area of Leeds. By the time Frank gave his life they had moved to Marshall Terrace Cross Gates Leeds.

Frank left Leeds Boys Modern and went to work for the Cooperative Society, and also was employed at the Boot and Shoe Factory in Leeds.

Frank tried to enlist and was rejected several times before being accepted into the 15th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment the Leeds Pals on the 31st october 1916.

After training Frank was posted to France where he gave his life on the 3rd of May 1917 during the attack on Gavrelle, which involved the Leeds and Bradford Pals.

Frank went over the top at 03.45 and at 04.00 the Germans replied with an heavy bombardment of shells, the Pals managed to capture a German trench, however a German machine gun was missed in the confusion and riddled the captured trench.

Many Pals were killed outright whilst others badly injured managed to get back to there original trench, Frank lost his life during this encounter and he lies where he fell to this day and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.