Frank Ormerod

Private 12019
1st Bn, Border Regiment

Frank was the son of Mrs Margaret A. Ormerod, of Laurel Mount, Nethertown, Whalley.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Frank was living at Nethertown, Whalley, with his parents and siblings. The details of the family are recorded as follows.

Frank enlisted in 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, at Blackpool.

At this time of his death 1st Battalion, Border Regiment formed part of the "incomparable" 29th Division and the 87th Brigade. Frank was one of a number of reinforcements for the 29th Division that were making their way to Gallipoli on the troopship Royal Edward when it was torpedoed on Friday 13 August 1915.

The troops had originally boarded the Royal Edward, commanded by Commander P. M. Watton R.N.R., on 28 July 1915 at Avonmouth.

The ship called at Malta on 10 August 1915 and arrived at Alexandria, Egypt, on 10 August 1915

On 12 August 1915 she left for Mudros Harbour, Lemnos.

On 13 August 1915 the German UB14, operating from Bodrum under the command of Lt Commander Heino von Heimburg sighted the Royal Edward, which was sailing unescorted for Mudros, just as she was approaching Kandeliusa island, off the Gulf of Kos.

The UB14 fired a single torpedo from less than a mile and this torpedo struck the troopship's stern.

In just three minutes the after deck of the Royal Edward was awash, and the ship sank with her bows in the air within six minutes.

The Royal Edward had a crew of 220 men, and 31 officers and 1335 men were also on board. It is now known that less than 500 of those on board were rescued.

Just before the attack the troops had carried out boat drill, so when the torpedo struck, many were below decks stowing away gear. 

Frank has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial (Panel 223).

Frank's brother, Robert, was killed four days before him, and he is also commemorated on the same memorial.

The Helles Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, and takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high that can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Frank enlisted in the Army in Blackpool.