Frank Leslie Whittle

Story:
Frank Leslie Whittle was born in Yetminster, Dorset, on 15 Nov 1892 the son of John Robert Whittle and Hester Ada Whittle (nee Bord).  He lived his early life in Yetminster and later at Manor Farm, Norton sub Hamdon, Somerset.  He had enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 857).  He later transferred to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230232) and rose to the rank of Corporal.  Whilst serving in the Egyptian region from 22 Apr 1915 he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty with courage and initiative in a war zone.  He was eventually discharged on 25 Mar 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  The Absent Voters List shows his address as North Wootton, Dorset, but by the Electoral Roll of 1920 (and the 1921 Census) he was living at The Dairy, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Dairy Manager and for this reason his name was added to a Roll of Honour at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  According to family records he had married Cecily Chatfield Taylor who came from Yorkshire. A marriage record in Sherborne, Dorset, gives the year of marriage as 1922. By the 1939 Register he was living at Manor Farm, Wokingham, Berkshire, described as a Farmer and ARP Warden.   His death was recorded at Eversley, Hampshire, on 4 Aug 1959.