Matthew John Frankland was born in 1885 at Tynemouth to Edward Frank and Catherine.
In the 1891 Census, the family was living on Bird Street in Tynemouth.
The family comprised of parents Edward F. and Catherine, sons Thomas, Edward, James W., Matthew J. and Robert H., and daughters Margaret, Lillia, and Catherine. By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 127, Grey Street in North Shields. The Family by this point had lost father Edward F, it comprised of a mother, Catherine, sons Thomas, Edward, Matthew J and Robert H, daughter Lillia, and a Boarder, James McKinnon.
In 1907, Matthew married Mary Ellen Sullivan. Together the couple had three children, Catherine born in 1909, Edward born in 1911 and Sarah born in 1912. In the 1911 Census, the family lived at 84, Churchway, Tynemouth.
In 1903, Frankland joined the North Eastern Railway as a Platelayer at Percy Main.
Frankland joined the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in 1907, joining the Tynemouth Branch. In December 1911, Frankland was promoted to a Lengthman at Tynemouth where he remained until he joined the Army in 1914.
In October 1914, Frankland joined the newly formed 17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as a Private taking the service number 17/1057. The 17th Battalion was a Pals Battalion that was raised entirely by the North Eastern Railway. The battalion was made up of four companies, “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” with the two reserve companies, “E” and “F”, designated the 32nd Battalion. Although raised as a normal infantry battalion, the 17ths son became a Pioneer Battalion, tasked with the repair of trench-side equipment, in 1916. Due to the fact that the battalion was made almost entirely from Railwaymen, the battalion became a Railway Pioneer Battalion, working closely with the Royal Engineers and Canadian Railway Troops.
Having moved to France in November 1915, Frankland’s company, “B” Company, found themselves all around the Western Front. In October 1917, “B” Company joined “C” Company at Burnt Farm near Brielen. They were tasked with rebuilding a road between St. Julien and Poelcapell, at this point, the companies saw regular bombings by German Aircraft. On the 25th October 1917, Private Frankland was killed in action. He died in St. Julien Dressing Station and is buried in there cemetery. He lies in Plot I, Row D, Grave 3.
Frankland was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.
J. Rollo
Joseph Rollo was born in 1884 to George and Esther Rollo. Not much more is known about Joseph’s Early life.
By 1911 Joseph had married Annie and in 1909, the couple had a child, Annie. In the 1911 Census, the family lived at 71, Ravensworth Road, Dunston. The family comprised of Joseph, who was head of the family, his wife Annie, a Daughter also called Annie and a Adopted Daughter Sarah Mainland.
In 1898, Rollo joined the North Eastern Railway as a pointsman at Howden Dock. At the time of his enlistment, he was serving as a Trimmer at Dunston.
On the outbreak of the Great Wear, Rollo joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a private and took the service number 8104. Not much more is known about his war service. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, record Rollo as a Private, the North Eastern Railway Magazine records Rollo as Sergeant.
On the 5th July 1915, Rollo died in Malta. He is buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery and lies in plot B, row I, grave 1. His grave is inscribed with the following: “TO MEMORY EVER DEAR”.
We will remember them.
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