ROWLEY, Frank

Frank Rowley was the son of Mrs C. Hodgkins of 25 Salop Street, Dudley. He volunteered for the Worcesters and joined the 2nd Battalion. They had taken many losses in the 1914 campaign from the first days at Mons to the struggle for Armenti?res. In the Spring of 1915 they were in the same area when an offensive to help the hard-pressed French was ordered. The Worcesters assisted in the attack at the village of Festubert on the 16th May. The terrain was flat, the ground low-lying and the enemy well dug in. It was a night attack requiring precision but the weather was wet and conditions were difficult. At 11.15 the Worcesters left their trenches but German flares made them obvious targets. The losses were heavy and included Private Frank Rowley. He was 25 years of age and is commemorated on the Le Touret. Dudley and St. James church Memorials.