47319 George Edward Madden. 11th Battalion

[Tim Bell]

A bit more record on George’s younger brother Frank:-
Frank Knox Madden was 18 yrs 54 days old and employed as a general labourer when he enlisted in the Loyal North Lancs (LNL) on 06/08/1914. Frank received the Number, 2596, as part of the 3rd (Special Reserve) Bttn of the LNL.  He trained with 3/LNL and  transferred to 11th Reserve (New Army)  Bttn on 30/01/1914.
Frank disembarked in France on 03/08/1915, posted to 1/LNL. He had some disciplinary action for misconduct.  Frank was hospitalised with gas poisoning  on 25/09/1915 and returned to 1/LNL on 03/10/1915. Frank gained a Lance Corporal stripe on 19/10/1915 and reverted to Private on 18/12/1915.  He received 56 days Field Punishment No 1 on 25/02/1916.  He was hospitalised with scabies on 20/04/1916 and returned to his unit on 27/04/1916.
Frank was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme on 15/07/1916, aged 20.  He was buried at Contalmaison Chateau, but his grave was not identified after hostilities.  He is therefore commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
Image (C) British Library Newspaper Archive
War Diary is free to download with excellent report of events https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14052708

[BernardM]

Thanks for the info on Frank Madden, Tim. I did know some of the detail but you have fleshed it out more. There is an entry in a diary of my father from the mid 30s were he states. "visited brother Franks grave". No venue given. I would suggest he may have been referring to place of burial. His offence for which he received the Field Punishment No.1 was for 'Disobeying a legitimate order'. (Restrained in leg irons whilst still carrying out his normal duties or secured to a post in full view of the enemy, I believe. Not sure which was carried out)

[Tim Bell]

Hi Bernard,
If I were visiting Frank's grave I would visit CWGC Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery.  The evidence from the service record indicates his grave is in this vicinity but we can't be sure he was specifically buried in this plot.  The cemetery had been used by the Germans and the British started burying men there on 14 July - although none are recorded on that date.  There are handful of unknowns British Soldiers who were not relocated from other plots but the date sequence of the plots doesn't fit with July 1916.
There is one Aus soldier who is belived to be buried in the cemetery.  I don't think the service record is enough to justify similar for Frank.
The Thiepval Memorial is a most fitting commemoration after all.
Tim

[BernardM]

Thanks for that, Tim. As I said it was the entry in my fathers diary that could have been misinterpreted. My mother always understood that Frank had no know grave. Tahaks.B.