Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.
Frank Townsend was born on 8th June, 1897 at Coven Heath and was baptized at St Paul's, Coven, on July 4th. He was the son of William Townsend and his wife Elizabeth. The family lived at Coven Heath. In 1901 William worked as a farm labourer, in 1911 as a stoker at a gas works.
Frank joined up in November 1916, serving first with the South Staffordshire Regiment before being transferred to the Monmouthshire Regiment. The later details of his service are confusing: at the time of his death he appears to have been attached to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion while attached to the 11th South Wales Borderers.
Frank died on 7th May, 1918 while in hospital at Annoeullin, near La Bassee. He probably died of natural causes. He was buried in the cemetery at Annoeullin but was later re-interred in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais.
Private Frank Townsend, 260032 (previously 203161), was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.