2nd Lieutenant Frank STRAKER
39th Medium Trench Mortar Battery, 184th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Date of birth: 25th August 1897
Date of death: 16th July 1916

Died of wounds aged 18
Buried at Bethune Town Cemetery Plot III Row K Grave 29
He was born at Wallington in Surrey on the 25th of August 1897 the only son of Ernest Straker, wholesale bookbinder, and Helena Emily of Waverley, Lower Northdown Avenue, Margate and later of “Eukestones”, Purley in Surrey.

He was educated at Northdown Hill School Margate and at the King’s School Canterbury from January 1912 to July 1915 where he played as a forward in the Rugby XV in 1914 and 1915 and as wicket keeper for the Cricket XI in 1915 winning his colours in the same year. He was also a member of the Officer training Corps from February 1912 where he was appointed as a Lance Corporal in 1914 and as a Sergeant in 1915.

Of his rugby, the Cantuarian wrote the following in 1915:-

"Very good in the open, but must do much more honest work. Tackles and saves well."

They wrote of his cricket in the same year:-

"A useful wicket keeper , but did not improve much during the season. he had somewhat of a style of his own in batting, but hit hard and was fairly consistent."

While still at school, he applied for a commission in the army on the 13th of May 1915 on an application form which was countersigned by the Headmaster of King's, Mr McDowall. He underwent a medical examination at the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Grosvenor Road, London on the 26th of June where it was recorded that he was 5 feet 11 inches tall. In July he applied to join the 184th Brigade of the Royal Artillery on a form which was supported by the Mayor of Deptford and by Captain Poole, Officer Commanding King's School Officer Training Corps.

On leaving school he went to the University of London where he underwent officer training in their Officer Training Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery on the 3rd of August 1915.

He embarked for France from Southampton on the 6th of March 1916 with 184th (Deptford) Brigade Royal Artillery on board HMT "Nirvana", landing at Le Havre at 10.45am the following morning.
On the 21st of March 1916 the Division created three batteries of medium trench mortars (X39 Y39 and Z39) and one of heavy trench mortars (V/39); Frank Straker was posted to Y39 and was appointed as their commanding officer.

On the 8th of July 1916 Y39th Trench Mortar Battery moved from the Auchy sector of the line to Givenchy. On the 16th of July 1916 Frank Straker was wounded by a shell when returning from the front trenches at Givenchy-les-La Bassée. He was evacuated to the rear and died at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station later the same day.

His parents received the following telegram dated the 20th of July 1916:-

"Deeply regret to inform you that 2nd Lieut. Frank Straker RFA died of wounds July 16th. The army council express their sympathy".

He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatches of the 13th of November 1916 for "gallant and distinguished service in the field".
 

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