CSM 14982 Frank Cannon
Frank Cannon was born on 8 November 1885 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire as one of the nine children of John and Martha Cannon.
Frank appears to have been clever as he took a jon as a clerk to a solicitor when he left school but he excelled at sport playing football for Hitchin Town and his county of Hertfordshire.
Picture
Courtesy of Jonty Wild
In April 1907 he signed for Queens Park Rangers and after helping them win the Southern League Title he played for them in the 1907/1908 Charity Shield Final against Football League Champions, Manchester United despite retaining his job as a clerk.
In April 1908 he scored three goals in a league match against West Ham United and the following year was transferred to West Ham.
He only made four appearances for West Ham , Scoring in the win over Norwich City before he moved to Gillingham, Colebridge and finally Halifax.
In November 1914 he enlisted in the
11th Essex Regiment and after training was posted to France on 30th August 1915.Frank was obviously a good soldier as by February 1916 he had been promoted to Company Sergeant Major of D Company. He fought in many places but most memorably at the defence of Ypres.
On 15 February 1916 the British trenches were subject of a very heavy bombardment and Frank was hit by shrapnel and he died in the dressing station a short while after he was hit.
Frank was buried in the CWG cemetery at Potijze
