ARCHIVAL MOMENT
JULY 1 – MEMORIAL DAY
Harry Frampton
Rank: Private
Service # 2198
Community: Grand Falls
Age: 19
Occupation: Wood Barker
Date of Death: April 14, 1917
Regiment: Newfoundland Regiment
Cemetery: Beaumont Hamel, France
Parents: George and Sarah Frampton, of 30 Beaumont Avenue, Grand Falls.
On February 28, 1916, Harry Frampton, age 19, with some friends who worked with him at the mill in Grand Falls’ appeared before the recruitment officer, St. John’s for a medical examination. He was a small for his age – just 5 foot 6 inches only 114 lbs. He was accepted to fight for “King and Country” the next day.
On May 11, 1917 a telegram was delivered to the Frampton home in Grand Fall’s – the approach of the clergy with a telegram was often a sure sign of death – but this telegram offered hope, it read: “regret to inform you that the Record Office, London that Number 2198, Harry Frampton, Missing April 14…” he was not dead, he was missing.
The family wanted to do all they could to help find their missing son and brother. His sister, Mary Frampton took the only photograph they had in the house of him and sent it to the War Office. She wrote:
Grand Falls, May 22nd, 1917
I enclose photograph of my brother No 2198, Private Harry Frampton, 20 years of age. Short and thin, black hair, eyes brown, Missing since April 14th, 1917.
A year later, on May 15, 1918 a package with Harry Frampton’s “Kit Bag” was delivered to the family with a letter that read:
“it is my regrettable duty to forward you one “Kit Bag” which belonged to your son …. My deepest sympathy in your bereavement…”
Recommended Archival Collection: At the Rooms Provincial Archives there is available 6683 individual service files, 2300 have been digitized and are available at: http://www.therooms.ca/regiment/part1_entering_the_great_war.asp
This searchable database for military service records includes the attestation papers: name, service number, community and district of origin, next of kin and relationship, religion, occupation, year of enlistment, fatality, and POW status (if applicable). Take some time to read the stories of these young men.
Recommended Reading: Browne, Gary. Forget-Me-Not: Fallen Boy Soldiers, St. John’s: DRC Publishing, 1911. 145p.
Recommended Song: Pack up your Troubles by Murray Johnson http://www.ww1photos.com/PackUpYourTroublesInYourOldKitBag.html