On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 3/8319 Private Francis Henry Devlin, serving with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 14/07/1916.

Derek Johnstone and Carole Fife have provided the following:

Francis Henry (Frank) Devlin was born in Workington in 1897 to parents Peter and Margaret Devlin who were both born in County Armargh, Ireland. His father was an iron worker and died in 1907.

In 1901, Frank was aged 3 and living at 11, High Church Street, Workington, Cumberland with his family which included siblings Bridget 17, John 15, Patrick 14, Rose 12, Sarah 10 and Peter aged 8.

The 1911 Census shows Frank, his widowed mother and brother Patrick living at 40, Clay Street, Workington. After this he moved to Bedlington searching for work.

Francis enlisted at Ashington and military records show, when serving with Northumberland Fusiliers, he was wounded in action when with the 2nd Battalion at La Chapelle Farm, Ypres, Belgium on 21st February 1915. Francis was killed in action when in the 1st Battalion at Bazentin Le Grand, Somme France.

His older brother Peter Devlin was killed on July 1st 1916.

Steve Young, great-nephew of Frank Devlin has added the following:

The photo of Frank was taken about June 1916. It was originally a 36 inch by 24 inch studio portrait that hung on my grandmother’s parlour wall for over 50 years. I can date the photo to June 1916 as he has one good conduct stripe on his left forearm – awarded after 2 years’ service. I believe the studio photo was taken while he was on his last leave in England.

The 1915 Soldier’s Will signed by Frank in the days before he went overseas states that his address was 13 Clayton Street, Bedlington Station. His mother’s 1919 application for a pension confirms this.

Frank enlisted under age into 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers at Ashington 19th May 1914 aged 16 years. On completion of his initial training he was posted to 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers at Winchester in December 1914, on their return from India, and went to France with the Battalion 19th January 1915 aged 17 years.

He suffered a gun shot wound to the right side of his chest at La Chapelle Farm, Ypres, Belgium during an attack in the early hours of 22nd February 1915. He was operated on at Number 3 Casualty Clearing Station, Poperinghe later that same day. He was evacuated to England 25th February 1915.

On recovery from his wounds he returned to France 27th June 1915 and was posted to X Company, 1st N.F. with whom he served until he was killed in action aged 18 years on 14th July 1916 having sustained stomach wounds during the attack at Bazentin le Grand, Somme.

Francis Henry Devlin is remembered in Bedlington on B15.17 and in the NF Book of Remembrance page 41.