Name
Frank Goodman Kingston
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/04/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
321152
London Regiment (City of London Rifles) *2
2nd/6th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Plot III, Row E, Grave 30.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Printers Memorial, Watford, Not on the Kings Langley memorials*1
Pre War
Son of Emma May (nee CROUCH) KINGSTON of Brixton Hill, London, and the late Frank KINGSTON.
His parents married 20 June 1883 at Lidlington, Beds. Frank died 1900 in Watford aged 42, and was buried 16 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Emma died 1937 in Watford aged 80, and was buried 16 July at All Saints, King’s Langley, Herts.
Frank was born 23 January 1891 in West Kensington, London, and baptised 5 April 1891 at St Matthew’s, West Kensington. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 20 January 1898 to 11 October 1901; finally Alexandra School, Watford, from 21 October 1901 to 15 November 1905.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 10 he lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a rough and fine etcher aged 20, he lived in Brixton, with his widowed mother and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died at No. 3 Australian General Hospital of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Frank’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. Frank is also commemorated on his mother's grave at All Saints Church.
*1 Frank is also commemorated on the family headstone in Kings Langley (All Saints) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO IN LOVING MEMORY OF FRANK GOODMAN,
DEARLY BELOVED SON OF EMMA MARRY AND THE LATE FRANK KINGSTON OF CRANFIELD BEDS.
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE ON THE FIELD OF HONOUR APRIL 6TH 1918 AGED 27 YEARS.
DEARLY BELOVED SON OF EMMA MARRY AND THE LATE FRANK KINGSTON OF CRANFIELD BEDS.
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE ON THE FIELD OF HONOUR APRIL 6TH 1918 AGED 27 YEARS.
INTERRED AT ABBEVILLE CEMETERY, FRANCE.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS.
THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
SAINT JOHN'S 15 VERSE 13
*2 More correctly London Regiment (Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
