Main CPGW Record
Surname: WHARTON
Forename(s): Frank
Place of Birth: Preston, Lancashire
Service No: 266142
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 17th (Northern) Division
Age: 29
Date of Death: 1918-09-01
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VIII. A. 2.
CWGC Cemetery: A.I.F. BURIAL GROUND, FLERS
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Frank Wharton was the son of John and Elizabeth McNamara, née Ashton. John was born at Preston and Elizabeth at Blackburn, Lancashire. John was the son of Elizabeth Wharton who married Hugh McNamara.
1901 Barrowford, Lancashire Census: 22, Hill Top - Frank Macnamara, aged 10 years, born Blackburn, Lancashire, son of Elizabeth Macnamara (married). [In 1911 Elizabeth was living at 37, Peter Street, Barnoldswick, Yorkshire.]
Frank was married to Martha Ann Bryden in 1909.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 9, Gisburn Street - Frank Wharton, aged 21 years, born Preston, Lancashire, husband of Martha Ann Wharton. [Frank and Martha Ann were living with her parents, Tom and Emily Bryden.]
The British Army Service Record for Frank McNamara (963) exists but may be incomplete. [There is a statement by Frank, given in 1912, that his true name is Wharton.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Frank Wharton, 266142, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Frank Wharton, 266142, 1/6 W. Rid. R.; 9 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 1.9.18. [It is not known if Frank served in France with the 1/6th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).]
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Frank Wharton, 266142, 9th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: France 1.9.18. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Martha A. £27 9s. 4d. self and children.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Frank. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Martha Ann, born 16.7.92. Address: Louvaine Street, Barnoldswick. Children: Frank Howard, born before wedlock, 13.11.08. John, born 11.11.11. Hilda, born 25.2.14.
In 1921 Martha and her children were living at 21, Wellhouse Square, Barnoldswick. Martha died in 1928.
Frank and Martha's son, Corporal John Wharton, died in Germany on the 21 June 1945 whilst serving with the 1st Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
A short biography of Frank is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
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:
WHARTON, Frank, aged 29, West Riding Regiment, 21, Wellhouse Square, [Barnoldswick], killed in action Sept. 21, 1918.
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Private Frank WHARTON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 17th (Northern) Division
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A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers
CWGC Headstone
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27 September 1918
BARNOLDSWICK'S TOLL OF WAR – Private Frank Wharton
Private Frank Wharton (better known as Macnamara), Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (Transport Section), officially reported killed in action September 1st, was 29 years of age. He leaves a wife and three children living at 21 Wellhouse Square, Barnoldswick. He joined up immediately after the outbreak of war and had spent nearly three years on the Western Front. He was invalided home through a kick from a mule and spent three months in hospital, returning to France in April last. Formerly a weaver at Messrs. Johnson Slater and Widdup (Barnsey Shed), he was for a short time prior to enlisting employed as a carter.
29 September 1919
WHARTON – In loving memory of Private Frank Wharton (Macnamara), 9th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed in action September 1st, 1918.
He left home in perfect health.,
He looked so strong and brave;
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a hero’s grave.
From his loving Wife and Children, 21 Wellhouse Square, Barnoldswick.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 September 1918
Barnoldswick Casualties
Pte. Frank Wharton (better known as Macnamara), Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (Transport Section), officially reported killed in action Sept. 1st, was 29 years of age. He leaves a wife and three children living at 21, Wellhouse Square, Barnoldswick. He joined up immediately after the outbreak of war, and had spent nearly three years on the Western front. Last year he was invalided home through a kick from a mule, and spent three months in hospital, returning to France in April last. Formerly a weaver at Messrs. Johnson, Slater and Widdup’s (Barnes’ Shed) he was for a short time prior to enlisting employed as a carter.
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