Frank Ormrod

Private 16809
11th Bn, Manchester Regiment

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Frank Ormrod was the husband of Nellie Ormrod, of 40 Harry St, Trafford Rd, Salford, Manchester.

Frank died on 21 September 1916, aged 27, during the Battle of the Somme.

He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing (Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C).

The 11th (Service) Battalion formed part of attached to 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.

On 21 September 1916 11th Division were involved in fighting in the area of Mouquet Farm, during the closing stages of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

Mouquet Farm, situated on Pozières Ridge, was a central bastion in the German defensive position. The shattered farmhouse was located to the left of the farm road on the crest of the ridge. Its deep cellars and tunnels were connected to a complex network of German trenches in the fields.

In British Battalions on the Somme, Ray Westlake records the activities of 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, immediately prior to Frank's death.

"11th (Service) Battalion. 34th Brigade, 11 (Northern) Division: Entrained at Frévent for Acheux (3/9) and from there marched to Puchevillers. To Bouzincourt (8/9), Chalk Pit south-east of Pozières (17/9), front line Mouquet Farm sector (19/9). Relieved and to Aveluy (22/9)."

15 soldiers of the 11th Battalion were killed by German shelling on the evening of 21 September 1916.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Frank was born in Harpurhey, Manchester, and resided in Salford. He enlisted in the Army in Manchester.