Francis Curzon (1888–1921)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 36852 3/6th Battalion
Royal Berkshire 20600 5/WC
Labour Corps 112449 41 POW Coy

Biography
Frank Curzon was born on 3rd April 1888, joining the Notts and Derby Regiment on 25th November 1915 before transferring to the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1916. He was aged twenty-eight and a lime burner. After being posted to France he was transferred to the Labour Corps looking after prisoners of war. Demobbed in October 1919, he died on 20th March 1921 aged thirty-two and is buried in St Mary's churchyard, Crich. There is an oddity over his War Graves headstone bears the regimental crest of the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

Headstone of Frank Curzon at Crich

Frank Curzon's headstone in St Mary's churchyard, Crich

It is stange that he has a military headstone as he was demobbed in 1919 without any record of illness or injury. He died 17 months later. The reason for qualifying for a military headstone in these circumstances is unknown but he must have passsed the official requirements. Two fellow soldiers Frank Hall and Frederick Bown who died just at the end of the war and are recorded as war casualities on the Roll of Honour and Crich War Memorial have been denied military headstones by the CWGC despite representation.

Medal Index Card
Awarded Victory and British War Medals.

Army Service Record
Frank attested at Matlock on 25 November 1915, aged 27 years and 7 months, a single lime garner/burner of the Common, Crich. Originally he was listed as being with the 3/6th Notts and Derby Regiment (36852) before being transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment. His height was 5ft 5½in; weighing 124lb and next-of-kin was given as Hannah Curzon of Crich Common; mother. His medical record shows he had defective vision.
29.2.16 to 20.8.16 Home
13.3.16 Posted to the Royal Berks
15.7.16 To France
7.10.17 to 16.10.16 granted leave
23.2.19 Posted to 199 POW Coy
19.5.19 to 3.6.19 Leave to UK
28.8.19 To UK for Demob
1.10.19 Demobbed with good character

Frank Curzon's brothers Samuel Curzon, Alfred Curzon , Frederick Curzon and Walter Curzon are also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Chadwicknick Lane, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 41 General labourer South Wingfield
Hannah Curzon wife 39   Crich
Frederick Curzon son 15 Brickyard labourer Crich
Samuel Curzon son 14 Brickyard labourer Crich
George W Curzon son 11 Scholar Crich
John Curzon son 8 Scholar Crich
Alfred Curzon son 6 Scholar Crich
Francis Curzon son 3   Crich
Matilda Curzon daughter 11 mo   Crich

RG12 piece 2747 folio 5 page 4

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 54 Unoccupied South Wingfield
Hannah Curzon wife 52   Crich
Samuel Curzon son 24 Gritstone quarryman Crich
George Curzon son 21 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Alfred Curzon son 17 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Francis Curzon son 12   Crich
Walter Curzon son 9   Crich
Mary Curzon daughter 5   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 44 page 7

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 65 Framework knitter Crich
Hannah Curzon wife 63   Crich
George Curzon son 26 Gritstone cutter Crich
Alfred Curzon son 23 Gritstone cutter Crich
Francis Curzon son 22 Gritstone cutter Crich
Walter Curzon son 19 Farmer Crich
Mary Curzon daughter 15   Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN103

1918 Voters List, Crich
Frank Curzon, Crich; absent on military service