Corporal Francis Cyril “Frank” Cresswell
18795 20th Company, Machine Gun Corps
S/24193 Lancashire Fusiliers (Private)
Francis (Frank) Cresswell born 8th September 1896 was the son of Elijah and Ruth Cresswell, of Fanfields, Pyehill, Jacksdale. His father Elijah was an under-manager at James Oakes Collieries, Pyehill, until his death on 22nd January 1912. His mother Ruth (nee Street) died shortly after on the 21st June 1916. Frank was one of 13 children of whom 8 survived. Known siblings were Sarah b. 1880, Ada b. 1882, Charlotte b. 1885, Lizzie b. 1889, Elijah b. 1891, twins Ruth and Abner b. 1893, Edith b. 1895, Kate Annie b. 1898 and Arthur William b. 1900 and George b. 1902.
Francis joined the army on 3rd August 1915 as a volunteer. His military records have not survived. He was a recipient of the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals.
Frank’s brother Elijah also served in WW1 but did not survive, dying of wounds on 1st November 1914.
Sister Ada married Jim Wilmott and Charlotte married Fred Daley (served).
Frank was married to Mary (nee Teece, daughter of Enoch Teece of ‘Oakleigh’) and is shown on the ‘Absent Voters List 1918/19’ as living on Franklin Road. They had four children, Frances (Minnie), Audrey, Norman and Sybil. Frank and Mary later moved to the Mansfield area but their marriage didn’t last and in 1954 Francis married Joan Lorimer and was stepfather to her son David.
Francis lived at Glapwell, near Bolsover, Derbyshire for the latter years of his life and was an overman at Glapwell Colliery for many years and was very well respected in the area. Frank died in 1972 aged 76.
