Frank Robert Sustins

A Sapper with 208th Field Company, Frank died on 9th of August 1916 at the age of 39. 

Frank was born at Lowestoft on 4 March 1877, a son of William and Esther Sustins. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 2 September 1877. In 1881 his family lived at 40 Albert Street and by 1891 at 8 Albert Street and Frank worked as an errand boy. By 1901 Frank’s father had died and his family lived at 4 Edinburgh Road and Frank worked as a bricklayer. Later his mother lived at 39 Melbourn Road, 67 Crown Street, and then 7 Avondale Road, Lowestoft.

Frank enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Royal Engineers, service number 84855, and initially served as a Pioneer and later as a Sapper. He served with 208 Field Company in France. 

On 9 August 1916 Frank’s unit were engaged in constructing wire entanglements along the south end of Bazentin le Petit Wood. The Company’s dug-outs were heavily shelled with high-explosive and gas shells. The dug-outs and trenches were also mined. The Company sustained 36 casualties. 

Frank was buried at map reference 57c.S.13.b.1.2 along with four other men from his unit that had been killed on 9 August. In 1919 he was reburied at Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.