Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

31 July - 10 November 1917. By the summer of 1917 the British Army was able for the first time to fight on its chosen ground on its terms. Having secured the southern ridges of Ypres at Messines in June, the main attack started on 31st July 1917 accompanied by what seemed like incessant heavy rain, which coupled with the artillery barrages conspired to turn much of the battlefield into a bog. Initial failure prompted changes in the high command and a strategy evolved to take the ring of ridges running across the Ypres salient in a series of 'bite and hold' operations, finally culminating in the capture of the most easterly ridge on which sat the infamous village of Passchendaele. The Official History carries the footnote ?The clerk power to investigate the exact losses was not available? but estimates of British casualties range from the official figure of 244,000 to almost 400,000. Within five months the Germans pushed the British back to the starting line, which was where they had been since May 1915.

Detail :

See also: Channel Islands and the Great War.

His death is recorded in the Jersey Evening Post, Monday 19th November, 1917:- "Roll of Honour - Another Local Footballer Makes the Supreme Sacrifice. Quite a gloom was cast over St Helier yesterday when it was posted in our windows that Frank Wheway, the hero of many a hard won game on the football field, had died of wounds received in action. At first many could hardly believe the news as it was only a few days ago that he had left for the Front, but unfortunately it proved to be only too true. Mrs Atkins, a sister of Lieutenant Wheway who since her brother's departure for active service has managed his business in Broad Street, on Saturday received a telegram stating that he had been wounded on Tuesday, whilst on Sunday she received the tragic news that he had died on Wednesday. Frank Wheway arrived in the Island about 10 years ago as a member of Ryde Football Club, he returned a few weeks later and settled in Jersey, being in the employ of Mr G D Laurens until he opened an establishment of his own. On arrival in the Island he joined the Jersey Wanderers, of which team he later became Captain, his Vice Captain being Joe Whitworth who was killed a few days ago. His performance in the forward and half line ranks was one of the finest exhibitions seen locally, whilst in the years that he played for the Muratti team the close attention that was paid him by the opposition showed that they knew full well his value to the Jersey team. At the outbreak of hostilities he joined the RJA and rose to the rank of Corporal, he was recommended for a commission and after training with an OTC was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in a Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, being last on leave in the Island about a month ago. A sportsman in every sense of the word, whether on the football or cricket field or in private life, Frank, who was 28, was one of nature's gentlemen and everyone who came into contact with him will join us in tendering the relatives our heartfelt sympathy."

In his will he bequeathed all football medals and Muratti Cap to Walter Touzel Marett, and further the lease of 16 Broad Street, St Helier to Kate Atkins.

Commemorated on the Jersey Roll of Honour and at the Masonic Temple in Jersey.

Masonic :

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley