Pte 21428 Frank Rouse

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 29th October 1917
• Commemorated at: Dozinghem M C
  Panel Ref: X.A.8

Frank Rouse was born 29^th October 1895 at Liverpool and was baptised 3^rd November 1895 at Christ Church, C. of E. Church, Everton. He was the son of Frank Rouse and his wife, Jane Anne, (nee Hassett) who were married in 1892 at St Peter's Church, Liverpool.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 83 White Rock Street, West Derby Road, Liverpool. His father, Frank aged 45, is a mariner, whilst his mother, Jane Ann, is aged 51, born 1860 and is a teaching assistant.  They have been married for nineteen years and have had three children of which one had died. Those children listed in the household are;, Jessie aged 18, born 1893 and Frank aged 15 are both students. Also living at the address are Allan McRonald a widower aged 75, born 1836 on the Isle of Skye and their sister in law Frances Marion Crook aged aged 34, born 1877 a confectioner and her four school children, Mabel Frances aged 13, born 1898, Annie Violet aged 11, born 1900,John Willacy aged 9, born 1902 and Mary aged 6, born 1905.  

Frank enlisted on the 24^th September 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 21428. He gave his age as 19 years and 30 days, and gave his occupation as a clerk. He was 5 feet five inches tall, weighed 113lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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. 

25.03.15: Laziness on duty confined to barrack for two days.

17.07.15: Neglect of duties as Mess orderly confined to barracks for six days.

03.11.15: Absent from 6.45am parade confined to barracks for three days.

07.11.15: Embarked for France from Folkestone.

03.02.16: Awarded 20 days Field Punishment No1 for disobedience of battalion orders.

11.03.16: Attached to 89^th Infantry Brigade.

26.04.16: Wounded and sent to Field Ambulance. Admitted 65 Field Ambulance with gunshot wound to armpit and back.

26.04.16: 21 C.C.S admitted with gunshot wound to right shoulder.

27.04.16: 10 General Hospital at Rouen: Admitted with gunshot wound to right shoulder.

30.04.16: Sent to England with wound to right shoulder (severe).

18.06.17: Overstaying draft leave until 10pm 19.06.17 confined to barracks for seven days.

25.06.17: Absent from night operations confined to barracks for three days.

28.06.17: Absent from defaulters drill at 6pm confined to barracks for 14 days.

Frank  died of gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen on the 29th October, 1917 aged 22 during the third Battle of Ypres.

His father received his personal effects which included Identity disc, letters, photographs, diary, cap badge, purse, nail clippers and one watch.

He now lies in Dozingham Military Cemetery, Westvleteren, Belgium. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”

Westvleteren was outside the front held by Commonwealth forces in Belgium during the First World War, but in July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming offensive, groups of casualty clearing stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918. There are now 3,174 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 65 German war graves from this period. The cemetery also contains 73 Second World War burials dating from the Allied withdrawal to Dunkirk in May 1940. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

CWGC records show Frank died whilst serving with the 19th Battalion K.L.R., however his medal roll suggests that he had transferred to the 2/8th Battallion of K.L.R. when he died of wounds

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