Pte 300026 John Frame

On the 1911 Census at Upper Culham Farm, Henley on Thames, his widowed mother, Maggie, is head of the household, and states two of the eight children have died. She is listed as a farmer’s widow, son William, 36, is a farmer/employer, Fanny 34, Bella 29, and Jessie 27, are farmer’s daughters. John is 24, also a farmer/employer.  

In January 1918 the Pals battalions, after a seven month tour in the Ypres Salient, move south and take up position near St. Quentin. The German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael), the German push to end the war, begins on 21st March.

The battalion Dairy gives details of the events of the day.

At 04.50am the order “MAN BATTLE STATIONS” was received. Companies and transport at once fell in on alarm posts and the Battalion with Echelon “A” of transport marched to VAUX, via FORESTE and GERMAINE. The morning was very misty and the Battalion arrived at STEENWOOD,F.7.a without interference from aircraft or shellfire. The Battalion halted in F.7.a. Strength of Battalion Officers 19 O.R. 513.

Battalion H.Q. was established close to Battle HQ of 90^th Infy Brigade and billeting party was sent into VAUX. They reported on their return that the village was clear of troops and they then guided Companies to huts and standings lately occupied by the 17^th Bn. Manchester Regiment. About 11.30 am a message was received from the 90^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the enemy had penetrated the forward zone and that the Redoubt Barrage had been put down by the artillery between Manchester Hill and L’EPINE de DALLON, which positions were still holding out. 

It was decided to move out of VAUX about 11:45 am as the enemy had commenced to shell the village. Companies and transport reoccupied the positions that they had taken up in F.7.a and Battalion HQ moved to F.7.a.8.9. About 2pm it was reported that the enemy had penetrated the BATTLE ZONE about ROUPY and it was decided to dig in and defend the present position. A line of trenches was dug from STEEN WOOD with a defensive flank covering VAUX.

Hostile aeroplanes reconnoitred the position about 7pm. Flying low and firing on the troops. Shortly afterwards VAUX was heavily shelled and some posts of No.2 Coy on the left were withdrawn to the Sunken Road. Close touch was kept with the situation in the BATTLE ZONE through the HQ of the 90^TH Infy Bde. throughout the night.

The enemy was reported to be in possession of SAVY but had not succeeded in penetrating the defences of ETREILLERES, held by the 2^nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers.

About 10pm all transport was sent back to BEAUVOIS, to orders of G.O.C. 89^TH Infy Brigade who gave further orders there for rearward moves.

John was declared missing and his death later presumed to have occurred on or since 21st March 1918. However, International Red Cross records show that John was wounded and captured by the Germans, and died in a field hospital. He was 31 years old.

He now rests in Roye New British Cemetery in France. 

Roye was in German hands from 30 August 1914 until the French retook it on 17 March 1917. The town was recaptured by the Germans on 26 March 1918 but was evacuated by them on 26 August. The French First Army entered the town the following day. Roye Old British Cemetery was 1.6 kilometres south of the town. It was made in March 1918, by the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station but there was little time to mark the graves before the town was captured by the Germans, who extended this cemetery for the burial of their own dead. In 1920 the Commonwealth graves were removed to Roye New British Cemetery. Roye New British Cemetery was made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields.

The cemetery contains 565 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 153 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials are erected to 13 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 117 casualties buried in Marchelepot British Cemetery and in three German cemeteries, whose graves could not be found. The cemetery also contains the graves of 43 Second World War airmen.

His Army effects of £20-15s went to his mother Maggie, as well as a War Gratuity of £20.  No pension card has been found.

 

His mother died, aged 76, in 1922 in Wokingham. 

 

Sadly, John has not been identified on any memorial. His name is not on the Glasgow or Henley Roll of Honour.