Main CPGW Record
Surname: AYRTON
Forename(s): Frank
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 62480
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Battalion / Unit: 5th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 18
Date of Death: 1918-08-12
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: B. 13
CWGC Cemetery: ST. GERMAIN-AU-MONT-D’OR COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Frank Ayrton was the son of John Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Ayrton, née French. John was born at Gargrave and Annie at Embsay, Yorkshire. Frank was the cousin of Private Ernest French (32221) (q.v.). Frank’s sister, Ethel, is named in the UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 for Private William Thomas Maunder (10980) (q.v.).
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: 15, River Place - Frank Ayrton, aged 1 year, born Gargrave, son of John T. and Annie E. Ayrton.
1911 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Airebank Terrace - Frank Ayrton, aged 11 years, born Gargrave, son of John Thos and Annie Elizabeth Ayrton.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Frank Ayrton, 62480, K.O.Y.L.I.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Frank Ayrton, 62480, 5th Yorks L. I. D. of Wds. 12.8.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Frank Ayrton, 62480, 5th Bn K.O.Y.L.I. Date and Place of Death: 12.8.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Annie E. £8 6s. 2d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Frank. Name(s) on card(s): Mrs Annie Elizabeth Ayrton. Address: 163, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick. Relationship: Mother. Deceased. Dependant: Mr John Thomas Ayrton. Relationship: Father. Address 1. 163, Burnlea Terrace [Gisburn Road], Barnoldswick, Yorks. Address 2. 163, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
Frank died of wounds received in action near Marfaux during the Battles of the Marne, 1918, 20 July-2 August, at the Battle of Tardenois, 20-31 July.
On the 2 February 1918 the 1/5th Bn K.O.Y.L.I. was transferred from the 49th (West Riding) Division to the 62nd (2/West Riding) Division. The battalion absorbed the 2/5th Battalion, K.O.Y.L.I. becoming the 5th Battalion.
Short biographies of Frank are included in:
‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
AYRTON, F., aged 18, K.O.Y.L.I., 163, Gisburn Road, [Barnoldswick], died of wounds July 20, 1918.
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Private Frank AYRTON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
The family of John Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Ayrton, née French
(Left to right): Hebden Sydney, John Thomas, Agnes Ann, Ann, Ethel, Annie Elizabeth and Frank
Courtesy of Helen Clark
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
16 August 1918
AYRTON - August 12th, at St. Germains, France, from wounds received in action, Private Frank Ayrton, K.O.Y L.I., in his 19th year, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Ayrton. 163 Gisburn Road. Barnoldswick.
23 August 1918
FORMER GARGRAVE SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS
Private Frank Ayrton, K.O.Y.L.I. who died at Saint Germain, France, on August 12th, from wounds received on July 20th, was 18 years of age, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Ayrton, 163, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick (formerly of Gargrave). He had only been in France ten weeks. When a report of their son's precarious condition was received by the parents, the latter cabled to another son serving in the A.S.C. in Italy, who obtained facilities for visiting his brother at Saint Germain and was thus enabled to be with him for a couple of days before the end came. Private Ayrton was a particularly bright and promising lad, and connected with the Wesleyan Sunday School. Up to the time of his joining the Army he was employed as a cloth-looker by Mr. R. Brooks, Westfield Shed.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
16 August 1918
AYRTON - Aug. 12th, at St Germains, France, from wounds received in action, Pte. Frank Ayrton, K.O.Y.L.I., in his 19th year, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thos. Ayrton, 163, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick.
23 August 1918
Barnoldswick Fatalities
Pte. Frank Ayrton, K.O.Y.L.I., who died at St. Germains, France, on Aug. 12th, from wounds received on July 20th, was 18 years of age, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Ayrton. 163, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick (formerly of Gargrave). He had only been in France 10 weeks. When a report of their son's precarious condition was received by the parents, the latter cabled to another son serving in the A.S.C in Italy, who obtained facilities for visiting his brother at St. Germains, and was thus enabled to be with him for a couple of days before the end came. Pte. Ayrton was a particularly bright and promising lad, and connected with the Wesleyan Sunday School. Up to the time at his joining the army he was employed as a cloth-looker by Mr. R. Brooks, Westfield Shed.
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