Name
Francis Henry Malkin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/10/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
36390
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
6th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT
IX. K. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Francis Henry Malkin was born in 1898 in Preston, Lancashire, the son of Francis Henry (father) and Annie Elenor Malkin who lived at 278 Fletcher Road, Preston. The family moved to 111 Wilbury Road, Letchworth, so the father who was a Letterpress Operator could work in the Printing Industry that was being established in the early days of the Garden City.
Wartime Service
Francis Henry (the son) enlisted in the Hertfordshire Regiment in January 1916 at Hitchin and was given the Service number 5932. Unfortunately his Service Record cannot be traced, hence his Army service has been gleaned from other sources.
After enlistment Francis Henry will have joined one of the Hertfordshire Regiment’s Training Battalions either at Newmarket, Halton Park or Thetford.
Immediately following training his movements are unknown, but Francis will have followed the main route used at this time of sailing from Folkestone to Calais and moving to the Territorial Base Depot at Rouen. From there he joined the 6th Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, a (Service) Battalion that had been in France since 25th July 1915.
In early to mid-July 1916, this Battalion was in the Somme Region and was involved in attacks on Deville Wood, during which time it suffered heavy casualties. On 7th September 1916 the Battalion, whilst at Guestraville (probably Ostreville) on the Somme, received a draft of 399 men from the Territorial Base Depot. The draft consisted of men from the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Regiments.
Unfortunately Francis Malkin was only with the 6th Battalion Berkshire Regiment for approximately a month before his demise. However he will have been involved with the following actions:
According to its War Diary, in the three days following his arrival at Guestraville, the Battalion was ordered to new locations. On day one it marched about 7 miles to new quarters at Sericourt, on day two a further 8miles to Grouchies (Grouches-Luchuel) and finally on day three, 11 miles to Le Avillers (Leavillers).
At this location, the Battalion underwent a period of training which in the final two days culminated in practice attacks on a reproduction of Thiepval. On 26th September 1917 the Battalion moved to Atelux (probably Achuex) and was in reserve for the attack that took Thiepval, but the Battalion was not called upon.
The following day Schwaben Redoubt was attacked and taken by the Suffolk Regiment. The 6th Berkshire Battalion was then moved to the frontline trenches to ward off any counter attack where they remained until late afternoon on 5th October. During this time the Battalion was subjected to heavy shelling and German counter attacks with much bombing by both sides. The War Diary noted on the 28th September that already “the men were suffering through lack of sleep” and their ordeal was still to last another seven days.
It was during the final day of this action, (5th October 1916) that Private Francis Henry Malkin was reported killed in action, one of 201 casualties suffered since 27th September.
The Battalion War Diary states on that day, at 1-00am, a Carrying Party arrived with bombs for the frontline but these were found to be undetonated. Some were immediately sent to the front to be detonated there. Meanwhile a large party worked at detonating the remainder and these were then sent to the front. The Battalion bombers were very active in bombing the enemy with the result that lost ground was retaken by 2-30pm.
At 4-30pm the Battalion was relieved by the Sherwood Foresters and withdrew to Hedauville.
Private Francis Henry Malkin is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, Plot 1X, Row K, Grave 20.
Additional Information
Note: 5932/36390 Private F H Malkin Herts Regiment enlisted almost at the same time as Private 5802/36471 A A Sherwood who was also killed serving with the 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment nine months later.
Acknowledgments
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
