Homepage BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF FRANK FELLOWS Frank was the only son of Samuel and Liza Fellows. The family home was in Salisbury Road, off Cape Hill, Smethwick. The grandparents lived in Frome, Somerset. Frank went to school in Smethwick and was awarded bronze, silver and gold medals for 7 years perfect attendance. We still have these medals. Frank left school at 13 years of age and went to work at Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, at first in a warehouse and then in the offices. Frank was particularly keen on carpentry, especially carving wooden ornaments and making pieces of furniture. We still have a grandmother clock that he made. The War Frank joined the army in the first World War. It seem likely that he was part of the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (usually referred to as the 1st Lancs Fusiliers) who were in the 4th Division in France in 1916. He was then just 17 years of age. This regiment was stationed at the most northern part of the Somme front near Serre when the big offensive started on 1st July 1916. Men of the East Lancs went "over the top", but few reached the enemy front-line. They were heavily machine-gunned in No-mansland and casualties were very high. It may have been in this battle that my father was injured and lost his leg, but I am not sure. My father's father, Samuel Fellows, also took part in the First World War, though I do not know in what capacity since he was probably then in his late 30s. All I know at present is that he was in the RAMC. Here is a photo of my father - in the uniform presumably of the East Lancs Regiment? Salisbury Road was decorated to welcome Frank's return from the war and a collection was made for him. He was fitted with an artificial leg, but had considerable difficulty getting used to it. War Medals I have two sets of medals handed down from my mother from the First World War, one set of two belonging to my father (S.F.Fellows) and the other set of three belonging to his father, my grandfather (S.Fellows). Clearly, they both took part in the war. Both received the two medals shown on the right in the photo and my grandfather also received the medal on the left. The following inscriptions were on the rim of the two round medals: 31196 Pte S.F.Fellows E. LAN. R. 37838 Pte S.Fellows R.A.M.C. FRANK AND BEATRICE FELLOWS I think Frank met Beatrice when he was about 16 and they became engaged 3 years later. They were married on 28th March 1921 at St Chad's Church, Smethwick. Beatrice and her sister, Daisy were married at the same service.  Here is their wedding photo showing Frank and Beatrice on the left and Daisy and her husband Bert Powell on the right. Joan, their daughter was born 15 months after the wedding on 8th May 1922. Brian was born over 14 years later (a mistake!) on 12th August 1936. Here is an old photo of Beatrice and Frank, probably in their early 30s.