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L/Cpl. Frank O'Donnell
British Army 1st/2nd (East Lancs) Field Coy. Royal Engineers
from:Red Lion, 4 Caton Street, Hulme, Manchester
(d.4th June 1915 )
Frank O'Donnell first joined up on 12th July 1897: The Royal Lancaster Regiment.18 years and 9 months 5'7 1/4 weighting 120 lbs. He had red hair, a ruddy complexion, and a cross tattooed on his right forearm. He was in for 48 days and on the 28th August 1897 paid £10 to get himself discharged. He joined again 5 months later on the 24 January 1898. His record says that he was 19 years and 3 months, 5ft 7 3/4 tall, 130 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and red hair. It also says he had slight knock knees!! Did he want to join up again when he heard the regiment was being posted overseas? On 21st January 1898 he was attested and posted on 1st June 1898. He was transferred to the 7th Dragoon Guards on the 18th October 1899 and was transferred to South Africa on 8th February 1899 to fight in the Boer War until 8th July 1900. He was discharged as medically unfit on 30th September 1900 at Woolwich. His medals were ----- with Queens clasp At the time of his discharge he was stated to be 5'11 so he had grown 4 inches while serving in South Africa. He had his 3rd finger of his left hand amputated and his other fingers were useless. His conduct while with the colours was described as 'very good'. He was entitled to one good conduct medal. On 3rd May 1899 he got a 3rd class certificate of education and on the 29th June 1899 he got a 2nd class certificate of education.
Frank joined up 2nd September 1914 and served as a sapper in the 1st/2nd (East Lancs) Field Coy. Royal Engineers. On 10th September he embarked from Southampton for Egypt. On 5th May 1915 he embarked at Alexandria for the Dardanelles. Died 4 June at the Third Battle of Krithia 4 June 1915 Gallipoli. He was lance corporal when he died On 19th October 1916: 1 pocket book, letters and a certificate were in existence and returned to his widow Alice. Alice was awarded a pension of 23 shilling a week.
