Pte 53091 Frank Clapinson

• Age: 20
• From: Paddington, London
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: A.8

Frank Clapinson was born on the 17th May 1895 in Paddington, London the son of Charles and Alice (nee Harrison) Clapinson who were married in 1881 in Marylebone. He was baptised on the 9th June 1895 at St Matthew, Marylebone, his birth not formally recorded unto 1896.

He entered Campbell Street School, Paddington on the 24th Jan 1899 aged 3, address Hall Place West, Paddington. His date of birth is recorded as 17th May 1895.

His mother died in 1898 aged 36

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Hall Place West, Paddington.

The Father Charles is a widower aged 42, a house decorator who was born in London, his children were also born in London, daughters Frances aged 17, Blanche aged 15 a dressmakers assistant, sons Leonard aged 11, Frank aged 4 and his brother Percy aged 6.

The children sadly lost their father in 1907 aged 47 

By 1911 and now aged 16 and a cycle repairer, Frank is head of the household at 39 Victoria Road, Kilburn, London. The only other resident is a lodger, 40 year old Lilian Connell.  

He enlisted in Marylebone, London and was formerly 5974, East Surrey Regiment.

Medal Roll states he embarked for France on the 27th July 1915

He was reported wounded in April 1916 whilst serving with the East Surrey Regiment. Upon recovering from his wounds he was subsequently transferred and was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 53091 when he was killed in action on the 9^th April 1917 aged 20 during the Battle of Arras. 

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.  

He now rests at Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France.

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