FRANK HIGGINBOTTOM
23 November 1896 - 25 March 1918
At School 1906 - 1912
Cpl 276797 2/7th Manchester Regt
Frank was born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy and in 1901, aged 4, was living at 11 Brookfield Avenue, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester with father Tom, a Commercial Traveller and Picture Framer, mother Ellen and grandmother Hannah. By the time Frank entered School, the family had moved to 24 Torbay Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and in 1911 Tom was described as a Commercial Traveller in the Fine Arts industry, and able to afford to employ a domestic servant. Frank also by then had a younger brother, Alan, aged 8.
The School supported the Proctor Gymnasium and Hulme Lad's Club with an annual collection. From a total collection of £34. 3s. in 1906, Frank contributed 4s. and in 1907, 3s 6d. Frank was at School in 1910 when the House system was introduced and allocated to Gaskell House. On leaving School, he was employed by the London, Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company.
After the outbreak of war Frank enlisted in the 2/7 Battalion, Manchester Regiment, part of the 199th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. The Battalion had been formed in Manchester in August 1914 as a second line unit, supplying reinforcements for the 1/7 Battalion. Frank's service records do not survive but his service number suggests he enlisted in November or December 1915, around the time of his 19th birthday. At this time the Battalion was in training at Crowborough Camp in Sussex. In March 1916 the Division was transferred to Colchester as part of the Southern Army Home Defence Force, guarding the coast in that area. On 6th March 1917, the Battalion left Colchester for Folkestone, Boulogne and the Western Front, arriving in the Bethune area and going into the trenches near Cambrin on the 19th. The Battalion remained in this sector until the end of June, when they moved to the Nieuport area on the Belgian coast. Although there were no major assaults the Battalion suffered over 100 casualties during that time of which 36 had been killed. In the last week of June, 341 reinforcements of Other Ranks were received.





On the morning of 24th March, the Battalion C.O. Major J Rowbotham was killed near Peronne and the Battalion came under the command of Lt Col Maxwell of 2/5 Manchesters. At 1.00 p.m. the Enemy were seen on the east side of the river massing for attack, however this did not materialise, the war diary observing that "this attack was probably broken up by our incessant M G fire." At 10 a.m. on the 25th the war diary states "Enemy attacked our position in front of BIACHES ROAD making use of houses and shrubbery as cover. Enemy came into view when within 100 yards of our forward positions and met with severe M G fire and was repulsed. 12.30 p.m. Enemy again attacked gaining a footing in trenches on our left. Also penetrated line on our right. 1.30 p.m. Enemy observed in houses in right rear. Casualties (which included Frank) have been heavy today. Remnants of Battalion fell back on trenches N E of BARLEUX. Re-organise under MAJ WHITWORTH, 2/6th MANCHR, and become absorbed into Composite Battn of 199th BDE hereafter called 199th BDE. 6.00 p.m. Instruction received 66th DIV will withdraw to HERBECOURT Covered by 50th DIV." On the 26th the Composite Battalion was attacked at Herbecourt and fought a rearguard action back to Dompieres then fell back to Harbonnieres. Here on the 27th, a counter attack was attempted but failed and the Division was ultimately withdrawn from the line and moved back to the Amiens area.