Private Henry Francis Cleaver, known as Frank, died at 32 Casualty Clearing Station, France. He was serving with the 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was aged 40.
Frank was born in Barston in 1877 and was the second of the three children of parents Harry (a labourer) and Mary (née Findon) who had married at Barston in 1872. Frank had an older brother, John (1875-1947) and a younger sister, Elizabeth (1879-1961).
The family moved to Knowle sometime between 1879-1881, and then moved to Dorridge by 1911. By the age of 13, Frank was working as a ploughboy but he became a house painter by the age of 23.
We don’t know when Frank joined the Army, but he must have volunteered for service rather than being conscripted, as he first saw overseas service on 19th August 1915, for which he was awarded the 1914/15 Star.
He is buried at Sezanne Communal Cemetery, and is commemorated in the Soldiers’ Chapel, Knowle, and on Dorridge war memorial.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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