Lance
Corporal Frank Shearer
Shearer was born at 49 Bryson Street, Belfast on 1st September 1884 to Adam Shearer, Labourer and Sarah Shearer nee Ramsey. They had married on 30th January 1865 at Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.
In 1901 Shearer (17) is living in house 35 Ballycarry Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings: John (31), Jane (29), Adam (27), Isabella (23) and Sarah (19). Francis is now known as Frank and his occupation is recorded as an Assistant Clothpasser.
In 1911 Shearer is living in house 30 Ballyclare Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents, sister Jane Millar and her 2 children John and Isabella. Frank's occupation is now a Hotel Servant / Boot.
Shearer may have joined the Belfast Banking Company between 1911 and 1914.
On 7th September 1914 Shearer enlisted into the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 12473. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Balkans from 12th July 1915.
Shearer later transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 4215 and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.
On 16th March 1917 after 1 week with the Field Force was hospitalised on board Hospital Ship Warilda. His ailment being described as 'delusional, insanity'. He was under treatment for 7 days before being transferred to a 'sick convoy' on 22nd March 1917.
Shearer was discharged from the army on 22nd February 1918 for reason 'No Longer ...".
L/Cpl 4215 Francis Shearer was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 319352) due to sickness. He was aged 32. The War Badge records say he had served overseas.
He was also awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
In 1901 Shearer (17) is living in house 35 Ballycarry Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings: John (31), Jane (29), Adam (27), Isabella (23) and Sarah (19). Francis is now known as Frank and his occupation is recorded as an Assistant Clothpasser.
In 1911 Shearer is living in house 30 Ballyclare Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents, sister Jane Millar and her 2 children John and Isabella. Frank's occupation is now a Hotel Servant / Boot.
Shearer may have joined the Belfast Banking Company between 1911 and 1914.
On 7th September 1914 Shearer enlisted into the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 12473. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Balkans from 12th July 1915.
Shearer later transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 4215 and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.
On 16th March 1917 after 1 week with the Field Force was hospitalised on board Hospital Ship Warilda. His ailment being described as 'delusional, insanity'. He was under treatment for 7 days before being transferred to a 'sick convoy' on 22nd March 1917.
Shearer was discharged from the army on 22nd February 1918 for reason 'No Longer ...".
F Shearer - Silver War Badge record
He was also awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
F Shearer - Medal Roll
Shearer married Jessie Smith on 29th March 1918 at St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast. His occupation is recorded as Cloth Passer.
A Pension Record card exists for Francis Shearer with entries from 1922 to 1930. His address was recorded as 8 Ghent Street, Belfast. His illness recorded as 'mental instability'.
F Shearer - Pension Record Card
The Belfast Bank Roll of Honour booklet records Frank Shearer as re-joining the bank in Markets branch.
Belfast Bank, Markets branch
Francis Shearer died on 26th October 1929 with his death being registered in Belfast.
This is my grandfather Frank Shearer - I thank you for recording my grandfathers history with his regiment- Yhis means a lot to me and my sons here in Canada - God Bless you all for your tireless entries - Gid Save The King
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments.
DeleteThis is also my Grandfather. I am Marie McConnell nie Shearer. Still living in Northern Ireland. Thank you so much, I have learned more by reading this page, than I ever knew about my Grandfather. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteThank You for sharing this is also my Grandfather my name is Janice Isabell Shearer I live in Canada. I told my Brothers and cousin about your site the information you shared we did not know. We know he died in 1930 but do not have a date or details if you have this information could you please share it with me. janiceshearer60@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank You so much
Thank you for your kind comments. I have e-mailed you.
DeleteEmail has not been received could you send it again to. janiceshearer60@gmail.com
DeleteThank You so much for posting the date of Grandda Shearers death my father James Willis Shearer was 4 years old when his father died he did not remember much information about him and our Granny never talked about him the information was lost to us until we read your post. Thank You so much
DeleteEmail sent again. Please check your spam folders etc.
DeleteThis is my great grandfather. Grandpa Jimmy sadly didn’t know a lot about his father. No Surrender!
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/qtaRuOK0gm8?si=EeVPfaLNSDp2_IOV
ReplyDeleteNever knew anything about my Grandfather and granny never spoke about him. It was sad to read how the experience of trench warfare took its toll on him. The shame of the way people felt about shell shock explains the silence. What we now know as PTSD took its toll on a brave man. I am proud to be called his grandson. Alastair Shearer
ReplyDelete