Name
Frank Page (DSO & Bar)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/07/1917
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant Colonel
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn. (Commanding)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Distinguished Service Order & Bar, Mentioned in Despatches,
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 54 and 56.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hertford Town Memorial, Hertford Grammar Memorial - now Richard Hale School, Hertford, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Born in 1877 in Fore Street, Hertford and christened on 23 Sep 1877 in Hertford son of Alfred George and Jane (Goodenough) Page.
Educated at Hertford Grammar School, he lived in Queen’s Road Hertford in 1891. He married Margaret Payne Farley, of "Thurcroft," 21 Talbot Hill Road, Bournemouth in 1905 and had three children.
He took over the family business of Gilbertson and Page, Game Food Manufacturers in Hertford and was a town councillor from 1908 and Mayor of Hertford in 1912-13.
Wartime Service
Initially volunteered for the Hertfordshire Volunteers and was a Corporal in South Africa in 1900-01 and was gazetted 2nd Lieut afterwards.
He re-joined the Regiment in 1914 and went to France as Battalion Commander.
Was decorated with the DSO on 25 Jun 1915 and Bar in Nov 1916.
He was killed by shrapnel while leading his men during the Battle of St Julien.
The Hertfordshire Express reports on the 11th of August 1917:
"The news reached Hertford on Sunday morning, that the Hertfordshire Regiment had been in action and had sustained several losses, the most notable being the death in action of their commander, Colonel Frank Page, D.S.O., whose home is at Hertford. The news came as a great shock to many, Colonel Page being an extremely popular and efficient officer. The announcement was made in some of the Hertford Churches at the evening service.
"Colonel Page, who was 40 years of age, was born in Hertford, being the second son of the late Mr. Alfred George Page, head of the firm of of Messrs. Gilbertson and Page, game food manufacturers, and of Mrs. Page, of Highfield, Queen's-road, Hertford. He joined the Herts. Volunteers when quite young, and served in the South African War, where he distinguished himself, and rose from the ranks. He ultimately became Captain, which position he held when the present war broke out. He went out with the Regiment in November, 1914 to France, and was made major on March 15, 1915. He was mentioned in dispatches on June 23, 1916, and was awarded the D.S.O.
"When Colonel Page Croft, M.P., was promoted Brigadier-General, Major Page became commander of the Hertfordshires, and was made Lieutenant-Colonel and more recently his great ability resulted in his being awarded a bar to the D.S.O. Colonel Page took a great interest in the civic life of Hertford, being elected to the Corporation in 1908, a position which he has retained ever since, and in 1912 he filled the mayoral chair with conspicuous tact and dignity. He leaves a widow and three children, for whom much sympathy is felt.
"A memorial service for Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Page, D.S.O., and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Hertfordshire Regiment who have fallen in the war, will be held at All Saints' Church, Hertford, to-day (Saturday) at 3 p.m. Relatives and friends desiring seats reserved for them are invited to communicate with Lieutenant-Colonel B. J. Gripper, Drill Hall, Hertford."
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild
