Lives of the First World War

Frank and Emily after their marriage Nov. 1917

Final resting place of Sergeant Frank Thickett D.C.M. of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment Panel Ref. 64 to 67.

Pozier Memorial Gate

Entry in register at Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

November 1917. Frank with wife Emily, Lily Oldham (sister}, Lucy Thickett front- Elizabeth & Mary Oldham and Ada Thickett (nieces)

My grandson Samuel O'Reilly placing a poppy cross in remembrance of Uncle Frank Thickett at Hyde Cenotaph.

Lest we forget.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

The shaded area was the Hindenburg Line at 21st March 1918 when the German final advance began. The 9th Manchester's with 198 Brigade,66th Div. were in position near Hargicourt

Frank,s death announcement published in the Hyde Reporter 18th May 1918

Memorial ribbon from Frank's wife Emily.

Frank's marriage to Emily

D.C.M. Gazetted 1 May 1918: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches. When an enemy machine gun opened fire on the right of the raiding party he rushed it with two men, killed the detachment, and captured the gun. His prompt and courageous action was of the greatest assistance to the raiding party.” Frank Thickett was born in Hyde, Cheshire, and attested for the Manchester Regiment at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. He served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, was advanced Sergeant, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was killed in action on the Somme on the first day of the German Spring Offensive, on 21 March 1918, on which date the British lost over 7,500 officers and men killed and 10,000 wounded. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.