Name
Frank Lewis Pike
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Air Mechanic
Royal Air Force
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Frank Pike was born on 25th June 1881 at Crediton, Devon. He was one of four children (three sons and one daughter) born to Robert and Mary Pike. In 1891 the family lived 20 Bicton Street, Littleham, Exmouth, and Robert worked as a Gardener.
In the 1901 Census Frank was recorded living with his grand-parents, George and Elizabeth Underdown, and their family. George was employed as a Gardener at Escot House, Talaton in Devon. Escot House was the residence of John Kennaway, a Member of Parliament. Frank was also employed as a Gardener.
Frank married in 1908, and in the 1911 Census was recorded living at “Ninnings”, Serge Hill, Bedmond with his wife Lillie, and their daughter Viva, who had been born in 1910.
The UK Royal Navy Register of Seaman’s Services noted that Frank enlisted on 4th October 1916, and gave his occupation as Sheet Metal Worker. He joined up at Cranwell and remained there from 24th to 26th October. On 27th October 1916 he was posted as Air Mechanic II to the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) base at East Fortune, in East Lothian, some twenty miles east of Edinburgh. East Fortune had been established in 1915 and served as a fighter base.
Frank was listed in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour for the first time in November 1916, serving with the RNAS. On 1st January 1918 Frank was promoted to the rank Air Mechanic I, and when the RNAS was incorporated into the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF) on 1st April 1918, he transferred services. Frank served throughout the War at East Fortune.
Frank Pike survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly Royal Naval Air Service.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
