| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Francis James Towse was born at Stonehills between Fraisthorpe and Carnaby in 1889, the son of James Towse, an agricultural worker and hind and Caroline (nee Sproxton), the family were living in Gembling in 1901. Francis, known locally as Frank, married Sheffield born Dora Grantham at Nafferton Parish Church on 28 Aug 1915. Their son, Eric was born and baptised the following year, Frank was working as groom and chauffeur.
The Beverley Guardian reported at the time of his death that he had been a chauffeur for Major Wrangham of Tickton Hall before the war. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Frank served with the 60th Battery Royal Field Artillery which was stationed in Egypt. In January 1917 the brigade was broken up and Frank found himself in Mesopotamia. A report in the Driffield Times states he had been seriously wounded and was in hospital in Mesopotamia in May 1917. Britain relied heavily on oil to keep its navy at sea and was protecting its interests by occupying the oilfields and pipeline near to Basra. There were no roads so all transport had to be by boat along the rivers and apparently Frank was accidentally drowned on 2 Dec 1917, he was aged 28.
Frank’s sister Annie Arnott provided the photograph and details of her brother’s death which the Beverley Guardian printed on 12 Jan 1918. It was also reported in the Hull Daily Mail and Driffield Times. Frank’s mother was living in Driffield at this time and his wife and son were at Nafferton. Dora remarried in 1921 becoming Mrs Walter Haxby.
Gunner F J Towse is remembered with honour on the Basra Memorial and his name can also be found on the Memorial Tablet on the church wall at All Saints, Nafferton.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |