Regimental number: 880458, Reference: RG 150, Accession: 1992-93/166, Box 10614-1, Item Number: 324545, LAC-PDF #10614-01. Born 6/01/1896 at Blenheim, Harwich Twsp.,Kent Co. ON. The son of Francis ‘Frank’ Jacob (Francis died accidentally 5/11/1915 as a result of a fall from a bridge) and  Mrs. Elizabeth Anne (nee Young) Wrightsell.  

Elizabeth came to Canada from England as a nine year old “Home Child”  (widow) of R. R. # 6, Blenheim, ON. Single, living at his mother home; his siblings were Rose, Anna, George, Gertrude, Clinton, Thomas and Percy. His oldest sister Rose died of typhoid fever in 1907. His brother Thomas would die from an accidental gunshot wound 23/12/15.  Prior to his enlistment he was employed on the farm of Charles Clendening  at Raglan for the sum of $300.00 per year. 

Attestation: 13/03/1916 at Chatham, ON. to the 186^th Bn., age 20 yrs. 3 mos., height 5’ 5”.  His mother is listed as the next of kin. Height 5’ 5”, 136 pounds. 

Afa: Found at Blenheim Freedom Library, Blenheim, ON.  LAC.    

Frank trained in London, ON. and while there he was admitted to the London Military Hospital  had surgery for Appendicitis, Frank was hospitalized until 4 May 1916.   He then went to Camp Borden where he was at on 15 September 1917 when he had to leave to visit his family before shipping out on the S.S. Lapland, 25 Mar. 1917.  

The ship left for England arriving at Liverpool.   Arrived in England 7/04/1917 and moved to Branshott, Canadian 4th Reserve Batt. for combat training. Drafted to 18^th Bn for service in France 7/07/1917 he arrives for a temporary assignment to the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Batt. at Gersin, France. Transferred to the Cdn Corp Troop Supply Column 11/07/17.  KIA 16/08/1917, name inscribed on Vimy Memorial. His mother received the “Silver Cross” and “Memorial Scroll”. (LAC)

GOH additional information 5/11/15.

31/07/17 – When Frank arrived, the 18^th Battalion was stationed at Bovigy, to carry out general training at Bovigny. On the fourth of August the 18^th relieved the 26^th Canadian Battalion at Cite St. Pierre. There was no actions reported  until the the 9^th and the battalion went back to Bovigy and stayed in billets. Between the 11^th and between then and the 13^th it was bathing parades, clothing parades and a church parade. After that the 18^th moved back relieving the 27^th Battalion in the front lines. 

On 14 August the 18^th Battalion attacked the enemy lines and 26 minutes later they had taken their objective and collected 26 Germans. There was a heavy artillery action after that.

Around 14:30 the Germans made a strong bombing attack and recaptured some of the position taken by the 18^th. At 17:00 a reconnaissance mission was launched  followed by a counter attack and the lost trenches were captured once again. Neither side launched any attacks over the eveing of the 15^th, however it was reported that the enemy artillery was exceptionally heavy.

On the 16^th Lieut. Dougall and L/Sgt. C. E. Routley and 19 other ranks crossed the railway and occupied Cotton Trench. A nearby trench Aloot was heavily held by the Germans. The party tried to find a route out of the vicinity. With all their efforts a safe way out was not found and in fact an enemy party had partially surrounded the men of the 18^th. Lieut Dougall called in the artillery to allow the men of the 18^th to escape. It was at some point in this action that that Pte. Francis Wightsell was killed. The resting place of the 21 year old soldie was never found.  The War Diary is remissin detailing the deaths of six men and the high proportion of them who’s bodies are missings or unrecovered indicates they may have been in the same area when they perished.  There is a an entry on 15/07/17 that states that “enemy artillery was exceptionally heavy on all parts of our sector”. 

His mother was notified by letter on 24 August. His mother as next of kin received his medals, plaque and scroll and she received the “Memorial Cross (Silver Cross). His name appears on the Vimy Memorial. She was also entitled as Next of Kin to receive the War Service Gratuity in the amount of $180.00 which she received 22 June, 1920. For his mother bereavement was to come. Her husband died accidentally. A young was accidentally shot while playing with a schoolmate and afterwards died.

The $180.00 War Gratuity and Silver Cross was inadequate compensation to his mother, Elizabeth. The family is keeping her son’s memory alive 100 years later.            

Information courtesy of Nicole Ramsdale. Private Wrightsell is her 3^rd Great Uncle.

KIA 16/08/1917, name inscribed on Vimy Memorial. 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Blenheim News Tribune (15-03-1916), Commonwealth War Grave Commission, Blenheim News Tribune (03-05-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (28-06-1916), Blenheim News Tribune (02-08-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (28-08-1917), Blenheim Freedom Library, In Khaki - Blenheim Enlistment Book, Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Royal Canadian Legion Br. 185 60th Anniversary Book 1930-1990

Height	5'5"
Weight	136 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	brown
Age	20 yrs. 3 mths.
Complexion	fair
Hair	red
Race	white
Birthplace	6/01/1896 in Harwich Twsp., Kent Co. ON
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	Charles Clemdenning, Baglan ON
Average Earnings	300/yr
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Mar. 9, 1916
Where Enlisted	Chatham ON
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	17.50/mth
Next of Kin	Mother: Mrs. Elizabeth Wrightsell, Blenheim, ON

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