Frank Morris Sanham

A Lance Corporal with 2nd Battalion, Frank died on 22nd of November 1915 at the age of 25. 

Frank was born at Kirkley on 1 November 1889, a son of Frederick and Rachel Sanham. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft, on 1 December 1889, and his family lived at 1 Barnham Cottages, Saint John’s Road, Lowestoft. In 1891 his family lived at Turner’s Buildings, 1 Saint John’s Road. From 14 January 1895 Frank attended Kirkley School. By 1901 they were living at 2 Mill Cottages, Mill Road, Lowestoft, and Frank was an errand boy. Later his parents lived at 58 Lorne Park Road, Lowestoft. 

In 1905 Frank’s brother, Frederick, enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment. Frank also enlisted in the Army, at Lowestoft, in late 1907/early 1908. Frank also joined the Norfolk Regiment. In 1911 Frank was serving with the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment at Aldershot. 

It seems that Frank was in India, with the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, when the First World War began. The Battalion went straight to Mesopotamia and Frank arrived there, with the rest of the Battalion, on 15 November 1914. 

Frank would have been present at the Battle of Shaiba in April 1915.

On 21 November 1915 the 2nd Battalion were in a night march moving into position ready for an attack at Ctesiphon at dawn on 22 November. 

Frank was reported missing, presumed dead, at Ctesiphon, on 22 November 1915. 

The Battalion suffered 267 casualties during the Battle of Ctesiphon, around half their fighting strength.