Private Frank Midgley

Frank Midgley was the son of Jesse and Ethel Midgley, of Rochdale, Lancashire. Frank and his brothers were keen on sport and after leaving school they all worked in the local Mill. Frank joined the Lancashire Fusiliers Territorial Army as soon as he was eligible. When called up in 1940 he enlisted into the Border Regiment and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Midgley successfully completed his Glider training and was posted to 1st (Airborne) Battalion, the Border Regiment. He took part in the airborne invasion of Sicily and Italy and then returned to England to prepare for the invasion of Europe.

On the 17 September 1944 he landed with C Company, 1st (Airborne) Battalion Border Regiment, at Arnhem.

Pte Midgley died on 22 September, aged 22. The Roll of Honour, Battle of Arnhem (5th Edition 2011) states that Frank may have been hit by an exploding shell at the corner of Van Borsselenweg and Wolterbeekweg. Alternatively there is a statement that he was being treated for light injuries in a hospital, and that he died there after a shell hit it.

Pte Midgley is commemorated on the Groesbeek Memorial, for those with no known grave.

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