R/20706 PTE. F. H. BRIERLEY.  K.R.R.C.

 

Frank Helliwell Brierley was born on 6 June 1893 at Littleborough, near Rochdale.  His father was James Brierley (b. 1863 in Littleborough) a cotton weaver by trade.  His mother was Betsy Emma Helliwell (b. 1858 in Littleborough).  James and Betsy were married at Littleborough Holy Trinity in July 1890 and they had two children: Jessie (b. 1892) and Frank.

 

Frank married Nellie Chappell (b. 1893 in Rochdale) in the 3rd quarter of 1915.  Nellie was a cardroom worker in a cotton mill.  Around the same time Frank enlisted with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and was assigned service number R/20706 and posted to 9th Battalion.  Frank was not awarded the 1915 Star so he landed in France in 1916. 9th (Service) Battalion KRRC came under orders of 41st Brigade in 14th (Light) Division.  During the Battle of the Somme in 1916, they were engaged in the Battle of Delville Wood and the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.  It was at Courcelette on 15 September 1916 that Frank was killed, aged 23.  In all, King’s Royal Rifle Corps had 407 officers and men killed that day, of whom 75 were from 9th Battalion.

 

Frank’s wife Nellie died in 1954, she did not remarry.

 

Rank:  Rifleman

Service No:  R/20706

Date of Death:  15/09/1916

Age:  23

Regiment/Service:  King's Royal Rifle Corps, 9th Bn.

Panel Reference:  Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.

Memorial:  THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Additional Information:  Son of Mrs. James Brierley, of 8 Center Vale, Littleborough, Lancs; husband of Nellie Brierley, of 34 Great George Street, Rochdale.

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