Main CPGW Record
Surname: GILL
Forename(s): Frank Hubert
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: T/2nd Lieutenant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 8th Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1917-08-16
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 42 to 47.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON – ERMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Frank Hubert Gill (born 21 April 1894) was the son of John and Jane Gill, née Tattersall. John was born at Halton Gill and Jane at Embsay, Yorkshire.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 19, Otley Street - Frank A. [sic] Gill, aged 6 years, born Skipton, son of John and Jane Gill.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 19, Otley Street - Frank Hubert Gill, aged 16 years, born Skipton, son of John and Jane Gill.
Frank was married to Leah Shepherd in 1915.
Frank is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): Pte F. Gill.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Frank Hubert Gill, 2456, 265521, West Riding Regiment; 2/Lt West Yorkshire Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: 1 [France]. Date of entry therein: 1 October 1915 [sic]. Commissioned: 29 May 1917. Correspondence: Mrs. H. Adams (Widow remarried) 1, Calton [sic] Terrace, Skipton, Yorkshire.
A short biography of Frank is included in: ‘A Grammar School at War – The Story of Ermysted’s Grammar School during the Great War’ by Steven Howarth (2007).
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
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:
GILL, Second-Lieut. Frank Hubert, aged 23, West Yorkshire Regiment, younger son of Mr. John Gill, Park Avenue, Skipton, killed in action Aug. 16, 1917.
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T/2nd Lieutenant Frank Hubert GILL
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Frank Hubert Gill
Frank Hubert Gill, aged 14, from a 1908 School photograph
Courtesy of Ermysted’s Grammar School Archive
'YORKSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION - IN MEMORIAM 1914-19'
GILL, F., 2nd Lieutenant West Riding Regiment. Killed in action 1917. Skipton R. F. C.
Tyne Cot Memorial
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
Waltonwrays Cemetery, Skipton
Family gravestone
Waltonwrays Cemetery, Skipton
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
31 August 1917
GILL – August 16th 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Second-Lieutenant Frank Hubert Gill, West Yorks. Regiment, younger son of Mr. John Gill, Park Avenue, Skipton, aged 23 years.
31 August 1917
DIED LEADING HIS MEN – SECOND-LIEUTENANT F. H. GILL, SKIPTON
We regret to have to record this week the death in action on August 16th of another fine young Skipton officer, Second-Lieut. Frank Hubert Gill, West Yorkshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gill, of Park Avenue, Skipton. Official news was received by telegram on Monday morning. Twenty-three years of age, deceased was educated at the Water Street Wesleyan Higher Grade School and Ermysteds Grammar School. Before the war he held a commission in the local Cadet Corps, but on the outbreak of hostilities he transferred into the local battalion of Territorials, with which he served in France for twenty-three months. Subsequently, he was granted a commission and returned home in the early part of the present year to undergo the necessary training for his new duties in a school at Fleet, and afterwards he was attached to the West Yorkshire Regiment and again proceeded to the Front about five weeks ago.
In civil life he assisted his father in the business of wholesale provision merchant, and was associated with the Ermysteds Grammar School ‘Old Boys’ football team. He was married and leaves a widow.
Mr. and Mrs. Gill’s second son, Pte. John Edgar Gill, is serving with the Calcutta Scottish, while their eldest son, Mr. William Hudson Gill, holds a responsible position under the Army and Navy Canteen Board.
Writing to the bereaved widow, Second-Lieut. R. Raby Moss says :– “One cannot write much in the attempt to console you, or in sympathy with your terrible bereavement, but I personally promised your dear husband that in the event of anything happening to him I would write you. He also promised to do the same with regard to my own people. We were together when travelling from London, and at the base where we became good pals. Owing to an accident to my knee, I was kept out of the engagement in which he met his death. I mourn his loss very deeply, I can assure you. He died quite heroically as he led a half company into action. It was a responsible job and had to be carried out against a heavy fire. He attained his objectives, but unfortunately, the enemy’s counter attacks were too severe and the Battalion had to retire minus all officers and most N.C.O.s and men, only a meagre handful reaching our lines again. I hear that all officers’ bodies were later recovered for a proper burial and that may be some consolation; I deeply sympathise with you. F.H., as I called him, was a dear lad. We had much in common to talk about concerning Yorkshire and his death is to me the loss of a good pal. I will now conclude with heartfelt wishes and sincere condolence.”
Mrs. Gill has also received the following letter from Major E.E.T. Baker, of the Yorkshire Regiment:–
“Dear Mrs. Gill, – It is with deep regret that I write to tell you of the death in action of Sec.-Lieut. F.H. Gill, on the 16th August. The Battalion played a splendid part on that date in an attack in front of -----, though our losses, I fear, were heavy. Sec.-Lieut. Gill gallantly led his men forward and we had little difficulty in reaching our objective; once there, however, it was found that the attack on our flank had not succeeded, and when the Germans counter-attacked we were forced to withdraw. It was then, in a brave attempt to rally his men and hold them together, that Sec.-Lieut. Gill was killed by a shell, death being instantaneous owing to the proximity of the burst. I fear that owing to the fact that the Germans regained the part where he fell, no record of his burial can be given. Should there be a further advance, however, and the grave found, you may be able to get information from the Graves Registration Committee, Whitehall. Sec.-Lieut. Gill had not been long with the Battalion, but the time was sufficient for officers and man to appreciate his worth, the former as a companion and the latter as a leader whom they would follow anywhere. All who remain join me in offering sincere sympathy.”
31 August 1917
EARBY – SECOND-LIEUTENANT J. G. BERRY MISSING: Awarded the Military Cross
The sympathy of his many friends will go out to Mr. W.N. Berry, of Hawthorn House, Earby, who received information last week that his younger son, Second-Lieutenant John Granville Berry, had been missing from his regiment, the West Yorkshires, since August 16th. The information was contained in the following letter from Lieutenant-Colonel H.S.J. Jefferies, the Commanding officer:–
August 22nd 1917.
“Dear Mr. Berry, – I know you will be very anxious to hear any details as to your son. He was seen to be wounded in the attack by the regiment on the 16th. The attack was successful at first, but afterwards we had to retire. Your son was last seen making his way to the rear, wounded in the arm, but has not since been heard of. It is just possible he may be a prisoner in German hands. I will inform you at once should any future evidence transpire.
"Your son was commanding the company at the time, and is an irreparable loss to the battalion. He had been awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry and devotion to duty in the battle on the 3rd of July. We all feel his loss most deeply and sympathise very sincerely with you in your sorrow. We have not given up all hope, however, and pray that some more evidence will soon be forthcoming. Please accept my deepest sympathy.”
On Monday Mr. Berry received a telegram from the War Office:– “Regret to inform you that Second-Lieutenant J. G. Berry is reported missing since August 16th. This does not necessarily mean that he is killed or wounded. Any further information will be sent if received.”
Second-Lieutenant Berry, who is aged 20 years, is a lad of charming personality, and was connected with his father’s firm in the manufacturing business at Earby. He was highly skilled on the technical side, and had won distinction in technical examinations. He was educated at the Skipton Grammar School, the Colne Technical School and the Manchester School of Technology. He joined the Manchester University O.T.C. in May 1916, and the Cadet School at Litchfield in October 1916. Receiving his commission in January 1917, he went to France March 14th 1917. In his recent letters he mentioned his association with Lieut. Frank Gill, who had joined his battalion, son of Mr. John Gill of Skipton, and whose lamentable death in action is recorded in another portion of this issue. Both ‘old boys’ of Skipton Grammar School, they had renewed their school friendship in the battle area, and formed a happy and congenial companionship.
We sincerely hope that better news will soon be received of the missing officer.
26 July 1918
LONG PRESTON – The Late Mr. W. Ward
The, Rev. R. Shipman, vicar, writes:–- “I should, be grateful if you would give me permission to publicly rectify a mis-statement that I made at the memorial service held for the late Mr. William Ward, at Long Preston. I said that I believed that he was the first officer from the Cadets to have paid the supreme sacrifice. As a matter of fact both Captain Bennett and Lieut. Gill have so done, and both were officers in the Cadets. I much regret the error – perhaps absence from the neighbourhood may be some excuse Three officers is a record of which the Cadets must be sadly proud, and which must also be an inspiration and incentive to them as such.”
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
SECOND-LIEUTENANT F. H. GILL
West York, Regiment, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gill, Park Avenue, Skipton. Killed in action August 10th, 1917, aged 23 years.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
21 May 1915
SKIPTON SOLDIER MAKES A ‘DUG-OUT’
Writing to his parents, Councillor and Mrs. J. Hopwood, of Skipton, on May 8th, Private H. Hopwood, of Skipton, says:– “I am writing this just after breakfast (8-30 a.m.). We are always up at 3 a.m. or before, so breakfast comes on rather early. The menu this morning has been eggs and bacon. Of course, we bring all sorts of things from the village to eat while we are here…The sun is shining and the birds are singing, and one can hardly realise that such a thing as war exists except for the shells that are being fired.
…We had disinfectant hot water baths the other afternoon in tubs in an old brewery, and it was a treat. To get to the baths we had to go through the village and it would have made your heart ache to see the houses all blown down and the place in a state of ruins. The inhabitants seem to have left all they had and to have made a dash for safety.”
Writing on May 12th, Private Hopwood says:– “We are now occupying some reserve trenched about 600 yards behind the firing line. We arrived here on Sunday night, and had to sleep in the open trenches. It was rather cold, but we were all tired out after four days in the firing line, so we hardly noticed the cold. However, we did not care to have another night out so Harry Nicholson and myself dug ourselves a ‘dug-out’ on Monday. It is a fine little house, and covered at the top with wood and sandbags and roofed, so that we are quite sheltered from shells. There is room inside for two to sleep. Our bed consists of bags filled with straw, and it makes a fine bed, too. We have shelves all round, and can store all our food inside… We have to keep popping under cover here so that German aeroplanes cannot spot us or otherwise these trenches would be shelled. The whistle is blown when any aircraft is in sight, and we all make ourselves scarce in quick time. This morning our men opened fire on one, but he seemed to be too high up for us. Frank Gill and myself were on guard last night. We were stationed on the road which leads by to the firing line, and all night the bullets were flying on the road, making sparks when they struck stones. All the night star shells were going up making it as light as day. Our artillery shelled the German trenches. It was fearful. We could see (censored). The bombardment was deafening. I had my ears stuffed with cotton wool most of the time. We also saw our infantry make a charge. It was a fine sight.”
30 July 1915
A SOLDIERS WEDDING
Private Frank Gill, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, son of Mr. John Gill, grocer, of Skipton, has been granted seven days’ leave from the Front, and arrived home early in the week. He was married at the Wesleyan Chapel on Thursday morning to Miss. L. Shepherd, of Broughton Road, Skipton.
01 October 1915
SKIPTON SOLDIER’S LETTER HOME
In a letter dated Sept. 25th, a Skipton lad serving with the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment in France, says:– “We had a rather severe bombardment this morning. Our guns started firing on the German trenches at 5 a.m. and then the Germans replied, and shells were dropping all round us for quite an hour. A few lads were slightly wounded, but none of them seriously. Away on our right a very heavy bombardment has been in progress all night, and by the flashes of the guns and the bursting shells, it seemed a big engagement and presented a weird aspect during the hours of darkness. We shall learn results later, I quess. Frank Gill, who has not been well for quite a week, was reported ill yesterday, and he was immediately despatched to the hospital from the trenches. I think it is a touch of influenza he has got. Our Colonel has left us, and we have got a new one. I have been on sentry from midnight to six this morning, and go on again soon, so shall now have to close.”
31 August 1917
GILL – Killed in action, Aug. 16th, Second Lieut. Frank Hubert Gill, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gill, of Park Avenue, Skipton, aged 23.
31 August 1917
A BRAVE OFFICER – Second-Lieutenant F. H. Gill Killed in Action
With regret we have this week to record the death in action on August 16th, of Second-Lieutenant Frank Hubert Gill, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gill, of Park Avenue, Skipton. The official news was received from the War Office on Monday morning last, and Second-Lieutenant R. Raby Moss, a brother officer, in a letter to Lieutenant Gill’s widow, states:– “One cannot write much in the attempt to console you or in sympathy with you in your terrible bereavement, but I personally promised your dear husband that in the event of anything happening to him, I would write you. He also promised the same with regard to my own people. We were together when travelling from London and at the base, and where we became good pals. Owing to an accident to my knee I was kept out of the engagement in which he met his death. I mourn his loss very deeply I can assure you. He died quite heroically as he led a half company into action. It was a responsible job and had to be carried out against heavy fire. He attained his objectives, but unfortunately the enemy counter-attacks were too severe, and the battalion had to retire minus all officers and most N.C.O.’s. and men, a meagre handful reaching our lines again. I hear that all officers bodies were recovered for a proper burial, and that may be some consolation. I deeply sympathise with you. F.H., as I called him, was a dear lad. We had much in common to talk about concerning Yorkshire, and his death is to me the loss of a good pal. I will conclude with heartfelt wishes and sincere condolence.”
The late officer was educated at the Wesleyan Higher Grade School, Skipton, and subsequently at the Skipton Grammar School. Before the war he held a commission in the local Cadet Corps, from which he transferred into the ranks of the local battalion of Territorials as soon as hostilities commenced. He went out to France in April, 1915, and after serving at the front twenty-one months, he returned home early in the new year to enter an officers’ training school. He went back to the front about five weeks ago. In civil life Second-Lieutenant Gill was a member of the firm of Messrs. John Gill and Sons, provision merchants, Skipton. He was formerly connected with the Skipton Grammar School Old Boys’ football team. He was 23 years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Gill have another son. Pte. John Edgar Gill, who is serving in Calcutta with the Calcutta Scottish, while their eldest son, Mr. Wm. Hodson Gill, holds a responsible position with the Army and Navy Canteen Board as inspector.
Major E. E. T. Baker writes:– It is with deep regret that I write to tell you of the death in action of Second Lieutenant F. H. Gill, on 16th August. The battalion played a splendid part on that date in an attack in front of Zonnebeke, though our losses, I fear, were heavy. Second Lieut. Gill gallantly led his men forward and we had little difficulty in reaching our objective. Once there, however, it was found that the attack on our flank had not succeeded, and when the Germans counter-attacked we were forced to withdraw. It was then, in a brave attempt to rally his men and hold them together, that Second-Lieut. Gill was killed by a shell, death being instantaneous owing to the proximity of the burst. I fear that owing to the fact that the Germans regained the part where he fell, no record of his burial can be given. Should there be a further advance, however, and the grave found, you may be able to set information from the Graves Registration Committee, Whitehall. Second-Lieut. Gill had not been long with the battalion, but the time was sufficient for officers and men to appreciate his worth, the former as a companion and the later as a leader whom they would follow anywhere. All who remain join me in offering sincere sympathy.”
14 December 1917
FOUNDER’S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A Fifteenth Century Foundation – War Memorial Proposed
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
Wednesday’s proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:– 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.
Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:– Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.
16 August 1918
GILL – In never fading memory of my dearly loved husband, Frank H. Gill, 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action in France while gallantly leading his men on 16th August, 1917.
May his reward be greater than his sacrifice.
– From his loving Wife.
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