Frank Yates Sayer

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Frank died on 27th of March 1918 at the age of 25. 

Frank, otherwise known as Francis, was born at Lowestoft in 1895, a son of Francis Robert and Marie Elsie Sayer. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 13 August 1897 and his family lived at 4 Battery Green Road. By 1911 his family were living at Saint Margaret’s, The Marina, and Frank was a fish merchant’s clerk, possibly working for his father. Later his family lived at 94 Clapham Road, and his brother John lived at 19 The Esplanade. 

Frank was already serving with the Territorial Force when the First World War began. He was a member of the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 1272. He did not go overseas before 1916. Frank was posted to the 7th Battalion in France with service number 43211.    

On 26 March 1918 the 7th Battalion were given the task of protecting the approaches to the town of Albert against the German advance. A Company were to defend the railway cutting area with positions covering the Albert-Millencourt Road and the Albert-Amiens Road. In the next two days the Battalion held the defences but suffered 244 casualties. Frank was reported missing and later presumed to have been killed in action on 26 to 27 March 1918.

Frank's brother Walter served in the Mercantile Marine and died in 1918.