The Colwill family originate from Hartland. Both of Frank’s parents, Charles, born in 1867, and Mary, born in 1863, were born in the town. The exact movements of the family are not easy to pin down with regards to their time in Great Torrington as their movements were so frequent and because Frank was to die at such a young age there is limited census information for him. Research on Frank’s life is further complicated by the fact there appears to be a further complication insofar as there are two other men named Frank Colwill in the Northern Devon area who were alive at approximately the same time and at least one of them served and died in the forces during the Great War.

 

We know that Francis Charles Colwill was born in Great Torrington in 1894, according to the registered births transcriptions. No parental details are provided, only the town of birth. However, his baptism transcription lists both of his parents as well as his birthplace.

 

It’s not until the 1901 census that we get an insight into his life, however, at this time the family can be found living at 35 Church Street, Ilfracombe. At this time Frank (Francis) is aged 7 years, his birth place is registered as Torrington, whereas his brother, Stanley, aged 4 years has a birthplace of Ilfracombe, suggesting they have lived at this address for up to six years. Only his father has a listed occupation, which is a general labourer. 

 

Ten years on, the family still live in Ilfracombe, although they now have the address of 23 Victoria Road as their residence on the 1911 census information. Frank’s father’s occupation has been expanded to “general labourer on District Council”, whilst Frank’s is “general labourer unemployed”. His brother is operating as a telegraph messenger. Frank’s mother is not present in the household at this time and her whereabouts has not been easy to track. From later newspaper cutting references of her, it would appear that she is not deceased, either. There is a further reference that Frank also commenced a trade as a baker working for Mr Whiteman in the town [1].

 

Frank enlisted at the outbreak of the war in August 1914 [2] at Exeter. He enlisted into the Devonshire Regiment in 8th Battalion with the service number 10874. He began basic training at Aldershot; Frank was also able to get leave over the 1914 Christmas to return to Great Torrington where he stayed with Mr & Mrs William Ayre of New Street. Unfortunately, Frank’s war would not go beyond Aldershot. In March 1915 he would contract measles followed by scarlet fever and died at Aldershot hospital on 21st April 1915 and was buried nearby with military honours. Indeed, his Captain wrote to Frank’s mother stating that he was buried “with all the honours due to a man that had enlisted in the service of his country.” [3] Frank was just 19 years of age.

 

[1] Western Times. April 30th 1915. ‘North Devon News’.

[2] Western Times. April 30th 1915. ‘North Devon News’.

[3] North Devon Journal. April 29th 1915. ‘Torrington’.