Soldier Record

He was 15 years and 10 months when he joined in 1914

Frank Histed was the youngest of 14 children born to Henry Histed and Mary Jane (nee Humphries) in Croydon, Surrey. He lied about his age to join in 1914, on his record it states he was 17 years 10 months but in fact that was only 15 years and 10 months. In fact his brother Bertie, who also served in the war, wrote to the War Office on his parents behalf asking that his brother be allowed to come home providing evidence as to his real age, but received a curt reply saying that his record states the older age. His nearly made it through the war but died on the 26th October 1918 in Belgium. He is buried in Vichte Military Cemetary. He was a Lance Corporal with the 12th Bn East Surrey Regiment.