Ref ID: 5492
Name
William Francis Todd.
Description
Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Private William Francis Todd.
Life Story
Name: William Francis Todd.
Service Number: 7365.
Rank: Private.
Battalion: 1st Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Born: 13th February 1882, Belfast.
Died: 22nd October 1914.
Address: 5 March Street, Belfast
.
Volunteer Frank Todd, son of William James and Harriett Todd, lived with his aunt Margaret at 5 March Street, Shankill Road, Belfast
.
Frank was a member of the West Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force.
He signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within Belfast City Hall.
Frank belonged to the Orange Order, John Kensit Memorial L.O.L 869
.
Frank joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the 3rd January 1902 at Portadown.
On the 2nd January 1905 he was transferred to the Army Reserves, before re-joining on the 23rd June 1905.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 27th March 1907, however Service Records show that he was later reduced to Private, most likely for using insubordinate language to a commanding officer, which he was charged with later in 1907.
Frank was then once again transferred to Army Reserves on 2nd of January 1910.
On the 5th of August 1914 Frank was once more mobilised.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 22nd August 1914.
Frank was a Private in A Company 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was Killed In Action in France on the 22nd October 1914 aged 32 years
.
A local newspaper states.
Ulster Volunteer Killed.
Profound regret has been occasioned amongst the members of the West Belfast Regiment of the Ulster Volunteer Force by the announcement of the death of Private Frank Todd, how prior to the outbreak of war, acted as half-company commander of E Company. Deceased, who was in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, served for a long time in India and took part in the Boar War. He left for France with the British Expeditionary Force, and like many other gallant Belfastmen, laid down his life for his country, being killed in action at Armentieres. One of the most pathetic incidents connected with his untimely and regrettable death was the fact that his brother was in the same trench as Frank when the latter was mortally wounded, being shot through the head. The Rev John Milliken, the esteemed minister of Woodvale Presbyterian Church, conducted a memorial service in the Woodvale Cricket Club pavilion, at which Mr Thomas Speers, commander of E Company of the West Belfast Volunteers, made a touching reference to the sad death of a brave comrade who was held in affectionate regard by every man in the company. The singing of the sacred solo, Nearer My God to Thee, by Mrs Hugh Murphy made a deep impression. The late Private Todd, who lived with his aunt, Mrs Haskith, 5 March Street, is seen in the photograph wearing the uniform of the U.V.F, and also a medal which he gained in the South African campaign
.
Another states.
Private Frank Todd, Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose death at Armentieres has previously been reported, was a member of John Kensit Memorial No 869, and of the West Belfast Regiment U.V.F
.
Another newspaper writes.
Private Todd, R.I.F, who has been killed in action, served for a long time in India, and took part in the Boar campaign. He was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force. Private Robert Todd, who has arrived home on sick leave, had the melancholy experience of seeing his brother killed while in action
.
Franks Soldiers Effects were left to his aunt Margaret.
His Will, signed and dated the 18th of October 1914, reads: I may let you know that I left word for my aunt to get 9d a day while I am away, and if anything happened me she gets all, but she has not received any money as yet. So I should like you to see to it Sir. Her address is Mrs Haskis 5 March Street, Belfast and mine is 7365 Pte W F Todd, A Coy, Royal Irish Fusiliers, British Expeditionary Force. I hope Sir that this error will be made right.
A Pension Application Form shows his aunt Margaret as claimant.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his aunt as claimant also
.
UK, British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920 also show that Frank had in fact married a Mary Ellen McNeill on the 16th of October 1905, and that they had a son, William Francis, on the 8th of October 1910,however nothing else can be found concerning them.
.
Frank received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.
He had also received the Queens South Africa Medal
.
He is Remembered at Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1914
Classification
Newspaper, , Photograph - Belfast Telegraph
