Photo : Len

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 22/10/1918 part 1

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 221918 part 2

Medal Index Card

Frank Oswald Mail was born on Monday 5th February 1894, the youngest boy of eight children, at 4 Park Road, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, to John Thomas Mail, [born 8th November 1855, at 51 Dock Street East, Monkwearmouth, died 21st March 1942, at Roecliff Lodge Corbridge], a Ship-owners Clerk and Steamship Manager, [son of Magnus Mail and Eleanor Burnop], and his wife Mary Anne [Polly] Adamson, born 4th June 1858, daughter of William Adamson and Mary Ann Robinson, died 28th November 1924 at Roecliff Lodge, Corbridge. They were married in 1876. In 1861 he [John Thomas], was residing at 51 Dock Street East, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. By 1891 they were residing at 4 Park Road, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland.

The children were William Percy Mail, born 10th October 1877, at 51 Dock Street East, Monkwearmouth, [Steamship Manager], was residing at Roecliffe Lodge, 1 Dilston Close, Hexham, in 1939, died 23rd February 1950, [at Charlotte Straker Hospital, Corbridge], Ethel Mary Mail, born 9th March 1880, was residing at Roecliffe Lodge, 1 Dilston Close, Hexham, in 1939, but was incapacitated, Florence May, born 30th May 1882, [married 1915, a James C. Breach], died 16th April 1952, at 1 Selhurst Villa, Plantation Road, Hextable, Kent, John Stanley, born 27th April 1884, [apprentice Marine Engineer in 1901], married 1912 a Marie Walsh, [born 10th January 1891], died 17th October 1956, at Low Hall, Horsforth, Leeds, Yorkshire, where they were residing in 1939, [John was by then a Engineer Manager Of Machine Shop On Production Of Shell Bands], Marion Adamson, born 14th August 1886, [married 1912 a William Leslie Tod, who was born on the 2nd July 1876], a Cotton Broker, in 1939 were residing at Dunesk Burwood Park Road, Walton and Weybridge U.D., Surrey, [with their son Colin, born 8th May 1916], died 17th December 1959, at Flat 1, Cumberland Lodge, 75 Ashley Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Muriel Adamson, born 15th February 1890, [in 1939 was residing at Roecliffe Lodge, 1 Dilston Close, Hexham R.D., Northumberland, with her widowed father, John Thomas, William Percy and Ethel Mary], and died 12th July, 1955 at the Charlotte Straker Hospital, Corbridge, All the above were born at 6 Alice Street, Bishopwearmouth. Evelyn Margery Adamson born 7th January 1899, at 4 Park Road, Bishopwearmouth.

Death of Mr John T. Mail, Shipowner.—The"Hexham Courant" 28th March carries a full obituary notice with portrait photograph of the late John T. Mail, retired shipowner, who on March 21st died at the age of 86 at his home at Roecliff Lodge, Corbridge. He was a son of the late Magnus Mail, of Scatness, Dunrossness, and later of Sunderland. For many years representative in Newcastle for his uncle, the late James Westoll of Sunderland (one of the largest steamship owners in the North of England), and married to a daughter of the late William Adamson, a Wearside shipbuilder and owner, Mr John T. Mail had a long career as shipowner and steamship manager. His hobbies were apple culture and travel, and he frequently visited Norway, the south of France, and Shetland, to which he was greatly attached, and where many friends will learn with regret of his death. A tall, bearded man with a fine presence, he was greatly liked wherever he went. Two years ago, at the age of 84, he had the experience of speaking from his home on Christmas Day in the “round-the-world” broadcast, in which the Corbridge Carol Singers, who have sung traditional carols for 30 years, also participated, and which concluded with a broadcast by the King. A Liberal in politics, he was one of the oldest members of Hexham Parish Church. Sympathy is extended to his son, Mr William Percy Mail, who is a well-known broadcaster and a frequent visitor to Shetland, and who was chief mourner at the funeral. Those attending included a nephew of the deceased, County Councillor Magnus J. Mail, and representatives of the Corbridge Carol Singers.

Frank Oswald Grandparents were a Captain Magnus Mail, [born 24th February 1824, Scatness, Dunrossness, died 25th March 1903] and a Eleanor Burnop. [born 12th June 1827, died 23rd November 1900 at Monkwearmouth, Sunderland]. They were married on the 5th December 1848. Magnus Mail and his wife resided at 17 Thornhill Terrace, Sunderland in 1903.

He died at Gainford, near Darlington from a stroke received on Saturday, [21st March 1903], on Wednesday 25th March 1903.

Shields Daily Gazette Thursday 26/03/1903, carries the following report: He was very well-known among seafarers of the old type and Presbyterians. Born in Shetland, he came to Sunderland when 19 years of age, [about 1843], and having served his apprenticeship as a sailor, quickly rose to the rank of captain, in which capacity he was master of Sunderland boats. Thirty-two years ago he retired from the sea to become superindent of the vessels of Mr. J. Westoll, of Sunderland, a line of steamers well-known in the Tyne. He was deeply interested in the North Bridge Street Presbyterian Church, and occupied the post of elder. He leaves a family of four sons, and two daughters, all married, his wife having died over two years ago. The funeral will take place at Sunderland on Saturday. He also was captain of vessels owned by Mr Herring of Southwick, and the late Mr Eggleston of Sunderland, and during his voyaging had many thrilling adventures, being wrecked of Tynemouth once, and picked up by another vessel taken back to Leith. He became a Master Mariner. He also had the pleasure to rescue the crew of a foundering vessel named the British Flag. Magnus retired from the sea in 1871. Mr Burnipsic Burnop, [a blacksmith], from Sunderland, daughter married Magnus Mail, and members of his family still carry on his business at Tyne Dock.

Frank was educated at the Sunderland High Boys School, then St Bees, prior to Armstrong College where he took his degree in agricultural. He was also in the O.T.C., at Armstrong College. Frank was also spending time at Farms in Scotland and Norfolk with future intentions on taking up farming as a profession.

In 1901 he was residing at 4 Park Road, Bishopwearmouth, then by 1911 he was residing at Roecliff Lodge, Corbridge.

Frank enlisted in September in the 2/1st Northumberland Hussars, with the service nu 1280 as a private.

The 2nd Line regiment was formed in October 1914. In April 1916, the regiment was split up: Regimental Headquarters and 'B' Squadron joined the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division 'A' Squadron operated as an independent unit based in Scarborough, 'C' Squadron joined the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division.

In February 1917, the regiment reassembled and, on the 19th March 1917, it moved to France, where it joined the XIX Corps a few days later. It was the only 2nd Line Yeomanry regiment to be posted overseas on active service in the First World War. On the 28th August 1917, the regiment moved to Étaples for infantry training; this was completed on the 25th September, at which time the unit amalgamated with the 9th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as the 9th (Northumberland Hussars) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

Frank spent time training, this at Gosforth Park. Later, the Second Line was used for coastal defence duties before it, too, moved overseas. However, the unit did not survive to the end of the war. Frank was given a new service nu of 270475, and went to France on the 30th March 1917. On the 23rd February 1918, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant from an Office Cadet Unit into the Royal Field Artillery into the 78th Brigade, R.F.A., gazetted on the 2nd March 1918.

Frank Oswald was killed by an artillery shell from an enemy barrage whilst supporting the infantry on the 9th October 1918 at Clary near Le Cateau, France.

Colin Boyd has submitted that from The Times 05/11/1918:

Second Lieutenant Frank Oswald Mail, R. F. A. fell in action on October 9, aged 24. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Mail of Corbridge, Northumberland, and brother of Mrs. W. Leslie Tod of Ascot Lodge, Walton-on-Thames. He was educated at the Boys High School, Sunderland, St. Bees School, and took the agricultural course at Armstrong College, Durham University, where he was a member of the O. T. C. He joined the Northumberland Hussars, Yeomanry in September 1914, and saw service in Ireland and in France, but was gazetted to the R. F. A. last March and went to the front in April. His commanding officer states that he "was killed by a shell while manipulating his gun at a very advanced position covering the advance of the infantry, showing entire disregard of his personal safety, and a splendid example to his men."

In his will he left £448 14s 1d to John Thomas Mail.

Frank Oswald Mail is remembered in Newcastle on NUT063, in Corbridge on C52.01, C52.02, C52.04 and C52.05, also at Hexham on H51.13, and at Sunderland in S140.048 part 9, page 187.

St Bees School WW1 Roll of Honour
Armstrong College website
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Mail