MOYLE, Frank William

Frank Moyle was the son of Henry and Martha Moyle of 12 Laurel Lane, Halesowen. He attended Halesowen C of E school and was a member of the Methodists in Halesowen. He was also a keen Scout and a Leader of both the Halesowen and Congregational Troops. He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards, probably in 1916, and was sent to the 2nd Battalion which was regarded as a first rate battalion of a crack infantry regiment. In 1917 they were in action on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres at Boesinge and again in the October battle of Poelcappelle, in both cases reaching their objectives on time. At Cambrai in November and December they had to bear the weight of the German counter-attack. In the March 1918 first German Spring offensive they were in the front line of defence east of the Somme and in April they attempted to defend Merville and Hazebrouck. In May they returned to the Somme but, although the great struggle of March had ended, there was still much shelling. They held the line near Fonquevillers at the top of the old Somme battle-field and here Private Frank Moyle was killed in action on the 22nd May 1918. He was 20 years of age and is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery (XIX A 15). He is commemorated on the Halesowen, Halesowen United Methodist church and Halesowen C of E school Memorials and also on his parents' grave in Halesowen churchyard.