The 1911 Census records Benjamin as the foster son of Robert Edwin (Hairdresser) and Rosa Jane Beech, living at 7 Moultree Terrace, Cowslip Road, South Woodford. He was employed as a Shop Assistant to a Book Salesman, stated age 16 but with no knowledge of where he was born.
He served initially in the Army Service Corps as a Driver with the number 830 before transferring to the Sherwood Foresters and joining their 11 Battalion.
On 9th October 1918 the war was in its closing stages, and although the Germans were being pushed back, there was still heavy and intense fighting across the front.
8-10 October 1918 saw the Second Battle of Cambrai which, utilising many of the new tactics and equipment such as tanks, was a success. The battle was followed by the immediate pursuit of the Germans to the River Sell where the next major engagement would be fought.
11 Sherwood Foresters were a component of the 4th Army which began its attack at 05.10 with the support of tanks and a concerted artillery barrage. Fighting was intense but the British line was advanced. During 9th October 1918 Benjamin Frankcom was Killed in Action. He was recovered from his initial burial place after the war.
Having been identified by his ID tag, his remains were re-interred in the cemetery at Busigny along with a number of men from the Sherwood Foresters and other Regiments.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com