Pte 22484 Frank Moody

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 20th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Anfield Cem, Liverpool
  Panel Ref: V.C.397

FRANK MOODY - Private – 22484 – 20th Kings Liverpool - Died of wounds 20/8/1916

Frank was born on the 23rd March 1895 in Kirkdale, Liverpool the son of Frank Moody and his wife Mary (née Pritchard), who were married on the 04th August 1890 St Mary's Church, Kirkdale. He was baptised on the 04th April 1895 also at St Mary’s, his father a bricklayer of 186 Burlington Street. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 57 Oswald Street, Liverpool. His father, Frank, is a 33 year old bricklayer born in Liverpool, his mother, Mary, is 32 years old and was also born in Liverpool as were her children. Five children are listed in the household;  Eleanor aged 9, Charles aged 8, Frank aged 6, George R. is 4 and Polly is 2. Also declared in the home address are brothers in law Richard  Pritchard a 39 year old general labourer and Joseph Pritchard a 50 year old marine stoker.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 214 Orwell Road, Kirkdale. His father is now aged 44 and still a bricklayer, his mother is 43 years of age. They have been married for 20 years and have had seven children six of whom have survived and are declared in the household;  Eleanor is a 19 year old dressmaker, Charles  is 18 years old and employed as a hairdresser's "improver", Frank now aged 16 is an apprentice hairdresser, George Richard is a 15 year old errand boy, Mary aged 12 is at school and Joseph Henry is 3 years old. Also declared in the home are Joseph Pritchard a 59 year old labourer and also sister in law Margaret Knight a 53 year old sewer.  

Frank’s service record shows that he enlisted on 06th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22484. He gave his age as 19 years and 240 days and his occupation as a hairdresser. He was described as being 5’4½” tall, weighed 112 lbs,  with a 34” chest,  with a sallow complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin was his father Frank, of 214 Orwell Road.  

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He forfeited pay for an absence on the 7th April and 24th April 1915 whilst at Knowlsey.  Similarly 8 days pay for an absence between 07th-14th June 1915 whilst at Grantham,also 4 days pay and confined to barracks for 10 days for an absence between 21st -23rd Sept 1915 whilst at Larkhill (details very faint). 

On 07th November 1915 he embarked for France with his battalion.

On 30th July 1916 Frank was badly wounded during the attack at Guillemont and he was admitted to 5 Casualty Clearing STATION at Corbie.  On the 4th August he was moved to barge 191-2, No.4 Ambulance Flotilla based at Abbeville working the River Somme route as far as Corbie. On the 11th August was returned to England.

A telegram to Preston H.Q. informed them that 22484 Moody of No.3 Company was seriously ill after gunshot wound to his abdomen. 

A telegram to his Father at 214 Orwell Road states that Frank died 12.15pm on 20th August 1916 from a gunshot wound to his abdomen at Tooting Military Hospital. A previous telegram 10th August 1916 from Abbeville hospital says he was dangerously ill with a penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen. His mother was granted permission to visit him but replied that she could not. He was 21 years of age when he died.

His body was returned to Liverpool and he now rests at Anfield Cemetery alongside two of his uncles Richard and Joseph John Pritchard where Frank's epitaph reads:

"HE FOUGHT FOR THE HONOUR OF HIS RACE, HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY HE GAVE"

In December 1914, Liverpool became one of the 21 Auxiliary Patrol Bases and in February 1915, the base of the 10th Cruiser Squadron. During the Second World War, Liverpool was headquarters of Western Approaches Command and a manning depot for officers and men of the Merchant Navy who agreed to serve with the Royal Navy for the duration of the war.

Liverpool (Anfield) Cemetery contains burials of both wars. The majority are in two war graves plots in Section 5, with Screen Walls bearing the names of those buried there. The rest of the war burials are scattered throughout the cemetery.

There are 453 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. Included in this total are 17 casualties who are commemorated by name on the Screen Wall as their graves in Bootle (St Mary) Churchyard and Liverpool (St James) Cemetery could no longer be maintained. Second World War burials number 459 including 2 unidentified British soldiers. There is also another Screen Wall memorial to those whose burials are not marked by headstones. There are also 67 war graves of other nationalities, the majority of them Dutch and Norwegian Merchant seamen, and there are 9 non war service burials here.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Tuesday 22 August 1916:

Private F. Moody, “ Pals,” died from wounds. Was twenty-one years of age and resided with his parents at 22, Cowley-road, Walton, Liverpool. Was employed by Mr. A. James, hairdresser, Lime-street. 

His death was also reported in Liverpool Daily Post on 23rd August 1916:

Moody - Aug 20 - From wounds received in action at Tooting Military Hospital, London, the dearly beloved son of Frank and Mary 22 Cowley Road, Walton. Funeral from above address tomorrow (Thursday) for interment at Anfield at 1pm. (Friends please accept this the only intimation)

He was remembered by his family on his birthday in the Liverpool Echo - Friday 23 March 1917:

ROLL OF HONOUR.

MOODY—In loving birthday remembrance of Frank, the dearly-loved son of Frank and Mary Moody, who died of wounds received in action August 20, 1916.

God called him home—it was His will,

But in our hearts he liveth still.

(Sadly missed by his sorrowing Mother, Father and all at home.)— 22, Cowley-road, Walton.

Also in the Liverpool Echo on the first anniversary of his death on Monday 20 August 1917:

ROLL OF HONOUR.

MOODY—In loving memory of our dear son Private Frank Moody, aged 23 years (K.L.R.), who died of wounds received in action August 20, 1916. 

We often think of days gone by,

When we all together;

A shadow cast upon us all,

Our dear one gone for ever.

(Too dearly-loved to be forgotten by Mother, Father and all at home. Also Brother Charles in France,)— 22, Cowley-road, Walton. 

He was also remembered in the Daily Post on 23rd August 1918: 

In Memoriam:

Moody - In loving memory of our dear son Private Frank Moody, KLR who died of wounds received in action Aug 20 1916. There are links that are apt to sever, But love and Remembrance last for ever. Fondly remembered by his Father and Mother, sisters and brothers, also brother Charles in France. 22 Cowley Road. 

Soldiers Effects, army pay of £3 0s 11d and a War Gratuity of £8 to his father Frank and pension of 6/6 pw to mother Mary, 22 Cowley Road.

His mother, Mary, died aged 62, in late 1929.

His father, died on the 31st October 1941, at Walton Hospital.

Probate 1942:-

MOODY Frank of 62 Stanley Park Avenue North, Walton Liverpool for died 30 October 1941 at Walton Hospital, Liverpool Administration Liverpool 26 June to Joseph Henry Moody machinist and Mary Carson (wife of Nathaniel Carson). Effects £146. 

Frank is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 18

St Luke's Church, Walton.

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