Photo: Tess McTiernan
Tess McTiernan states:
Frank Morgan, one of six children, was born at Catchgate, County Durham to Irish parents, John and Mary Morgan. In 1911, at the age of 22 years, Frank was working as a coal miner hewer and lived in Dixon's Buildings, Jerry Row, Catchgate, County Durham with his parents and two of his siblings.
Frank enlisted in 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers which was a Pals Battalion raised at Newcastle in January 1915, by the Lord Mayor & the City. After initial training near home, he joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. He proceeded to France in January 1916, where the division concentrated at la Crosse, east of Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, the Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe.
Frank was killed in action 25 April 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) for gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle.
Remembered with Honour.
His nephew lives locally, attends St Patrick's and places a cross each year at the foot of the Memorial on Remembrance Day.
Frank Morgan is remembered in Annfield Plain on A38.01, in Dipton on D46.06 and in Leadgate on L65.01
