Frank Worrall 1920-1943 age 22

Barnsley Chronicle 17th April 1943
Thanks to Barnsley Archives

Born: 1920 in Barnsley Q4

Son of: Robert and Zilpha Worrall nee Mellor. Zilpha (1894-1980, died age 86) was born in Silkstone. Robert (1892-1928, died age 34) lived in Agnes Pit Yard during the First World War and enlisted as a Driver with the Royal Engineers, service number 104596 before being discharged as being unfit for service. Robert and Zilpha married in 1916 and had 5 children:

• David R. 1917 
• John 1919 
• Frank 1920 
• Robert 1922 
• Peter William 1924-1993, died age 69

With thanks to Barnsley Archives. Barnsley Chronicle 2nd December 1944.
Mrs Z Worrall is justly proud of her four serving sons. Three are in the R.A.F. Cpl D.R. Worrall is stationed in Ceylon, Flight Sergt. J Worrall was in the Dunkirk evacuation: and Cpl R. Worrall. Gunner P. W. Worrall is in the Royal Artillery. Another son Sergt. F. Worrall R.A.F.V.R. was killed during April 1943. 

Military Service: Frank was a Navigator Sergeant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 9th squadron.  He was unmarried and at the time of death his home address was 121 Blenheim Road Barnsley. 

Death: 7th April 1943 at the age of 22 years. Cemetery records give his place of death as Milden Hall in Suffolk. 

Frank was killed on a training operation when the Lancaster III that he was in, crashed at 03.30 hours in the village of Kenny Hill. The cause of the accident was attributed to total engine failure. All 8 crew members were killed. The squadron was based at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk.

Buried: Barnsley Cemetery section P, grave 217. His gravestone bears the inscription: 

Treasured memories of Frank

Killed in an air accident

A dear son and brother

Always remembered

Find a grave link: here 
Commonwealth War Graves Commission link: here  
Remembered: St Edward's WW2 Memorial plaque, Barnsley and on the Holgate Grammar School WW2 Memorial

Notes: The Barnsley Chronicle of 17th April 1943 tells us that Frank was one of four brothers serving in the R.A.F. He joined up two years before his death when he was on the clerical staff (finance department) at the headquarters of the Yorkshire Traction Company. Frank was an old boy of Barnsley Grammar School.

Research by James Corbett and Gill Brookes of St Edward's Church, Barnsley