Pte 52104 Frank Hanks

• Age: 20
• From: Manchester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 5th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Etaples Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: XXII.E.15

Frank was born on the 04th January 1897. His birth was registered in Chorlton, Manchester. He was the son of Thomas Hanks and his wife Hannah (nee Bennett) who were married in 1880 at St Luke's Church, Miles Platting.. He was baptised at St Saviour's Church, Chorlton upon Medlock on the 27th January 1897..

On 1901 census he is aged 4 living at 62 Plymouth St, Chorlton-upon-Medlock. His father, Thomas, is 42 years of age and a maker-up in shipping warehouse born in.Birkenhead, whilst his mother Hannah, aged 41 was born in Manchester. His siblings, all born in Manchester are listed as; Thomas H. 19 tool fitter apprentice, James 16 maker-up apprentice, William 13 at school and boarder William H. Lea 31 a teacher.

At the time of the 1911 census he is aged 14, and employed as a shipping clerk, living at 8 Hyde Grove, Chorlton-upon-Medlock. His father ,Thomas, is now 52 and a textile warehouseman, whilst his mother Hannah is 52. His siblings are listed as; Thomas H. 29 tool fitter, James 26 warehouseman, William 14 a shipping clerk, and boarder William H. Lea 45 a teacher.

He was living at Chorlton-on-Medlock when he enlisted in the Manchester Regiment as Private 2061. 

Frank was subsequently transferred to the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 52104.

He died of wounds on the 05th April 1917, aged 20. He now rests at Etaples Military Cemetery in France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"HE WAS A MAN"

During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick. In September 1919, ten months after the Armistice, three hospitals and the Q.M.A.A.C. convalescent depot remained.

The cemetery contains 10,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the earliest dating from May 1915. 35 of these burials are unidentified. It is the largest CWGC cemetery in France, and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Soldiers Effects to mother Hannah, Pension to Hannah and father Thomas.

His death was reported in the Manchester Evening News on the 07th April 1917

Private FRANK HANKS, Manchester Regiment, attached King's Liverpool Regt., who was wounded March 12, succumbed to his wounds April 5. He was an old boy of St Chrysostom's and a member of the M.A.C. Prior to joining the colours he was engaged by Messr's F. Parkinson and Co., Portland Street, Manchester.

Also in the Manchester Evening News on the 17th April 1917

HANKS - Private FRANK HANKS No. 52104 Manchester Regiment (attached King's Liverpool Regt.), wounded March 12th 1917, died April 5th, age 20, youngest son of Mr and Mrs T. Hanks, 13 West Grove, Chorlton on Medlock.

Memorial notices' were placed by his family, on the first anniversary of his death, in the Manchester Evening News on 05th April 1918

IN MEMORIAM

HANKS - To the loving memory of our FRANK, 52104, Private F. HANKS, 7th Bttn. Manchester Regiment, attached 17th King's Liverpool Regt., who died from wounds April 5, 1917.

Free from from all worldly cares.

Deeply mourned by his sorrowing FATHER, MOTHER, and Brother TOM. - 13 West Grove, Chorlton-on-Medlock.

HANKS - in loving memory of our dear FRANK, who died April 5, 1917, from wounds. - Sadly missed, EDITH and JIM; also little KENNETH. - 187 Horton Road, Rusholme.

HANKS - In loving memory of our dear brother FRANK, who died April 5, 1917. - Sadly missed WILLIE and MARIE. - 15 Dalton Avenue, Rusholme.

HANKS - In loving memory of my dear nephew, Private F. HANKS, 52104, who died from wounds, April 5, 1917.

Bravely he fought, nobly he died.

- Sadly missed by his sorrowing Aunt SARAH and cousin DOLLY; also WILLIE, FULLY, JIM (serving abroad.)

HANKS - In loving memory of our dear nephew Private F. HANKS, 52104, who died April 5, 1917.

Nobly died for a noble cause,

Yet lives with the great dead.

• Ever remembered by his sorrowing Aunt ELIZA and Uncle MILES, 78 Lewis Street, Miles Platting.

We currently have no further information on Frank Hanks. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.