The Frank Pointing
noted by Chailey Parish Magazine in July 1915 as serving his King and Country was one of four brothers who served during the
First World War.
He was born at
Lewes on 27th February 1887 and by the time the 1901 census was taken, was boarding at Teague Green, Chailey. The rest of his family was living at Tomsetts, Chailey and comprised James Pointing
aged 44 and working as a postman, his 40 year old wife Alice (working as a laundress from home) and their four children: William
Pointing (aged 13), Alice Pointing (aged nine), James Pointing (aged six) and George Pointing (aged four).
In July 1915,
the parish magazine notes that Frank Pointing is serving his King and Country in October 1915 that he is a Private and 2nd
Air Mechanic with the Royal Flying Corps in England. In April 1916, the parish magazine reports that he is in France and in November that year that he has been promoted to corporal.
Six months later, in May 1917, the parish magazine notes that his rank is now sergeant and this is further updated
in March 1918 to note that he is Flight Sergeant F Pointing. This information
is then repeated up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.
Frank Pointing
married Elizabeth Annie Priscilla White (1886-1983) at Windsor in
about August 1912. He died on 11th May 1971 in Hounslow, west London.
Frank Pointing’s
three brothers James, George and William all served during the First World War. I believe that his mother, Alice Pointing, is the same Alice Pointing noted as serving as a cook with Sussex 54 VAD. His sister, also Alice Pointing, married
Ernest Frank Stevens who is also commemorated on this site.
Sources & Acknowledgements
