Wednesday 10 June 2015

Heys, Frank - Private (24298)

Private Frank Heys
7th Battalion,
East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in Action,
22nd July 1916,
Aged 24,
Commemorated Thiepval Memorial.

Newspaper Reports:

Private Frank Heys, whose death while fighting for his country was reported in our last issue, and who was 25 years of age, had only been in the army five months and had not been in France many weeks when he met a soldier's death.  Prior to enlistment he was a clerk in the offices of the Haslingden Co-operative Society.  He had a close connection with Salem Sunday School, being a member of the young men's class and also school registrar.  he was a member of the Haslingden Conservative Club, and was highly esteemed.
Great sympathy is felt with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Heys of Rose Bank, Blackburn Road, Haslingden, in their sad bereavement.  A brother of the deceased is also fighting for his country.
A memorial service will be conducted at Salem Church on Sunday evening next by the Rev. A.J. Keeley, Private Heys being the first member of Salem's roll of honour to sacrifice his life for his country.

SOLDIERS MEMORIAL SERVICE

There was a large and representative congregation at Salem Church, Regent Street, on Sunday night at the memorial service to the late Private Frank Heys (24), East Lancashire Regiment, son of Mr John Coupe Heys, of 255, Rose Bank, Blackburn Road. The deceased soldier, whose obituary notice and portrait appeared in our last issue, was secretary of the Comforts Fund as well as registrar at Salem Sunday School.  Among the congregation were fellow employees of the deceased from the offices of the Co-operative Society, and representatives of the Co-operative Cricket Club.
The Communion was decorated with flowers, which were afterwards distributed to the sick and aged by the Sunshine Band.The special hymns were: "There is a land of pure delight;" "Lead, kindly light;" "Abide with Me;" "A few more years shall roll;" and "It is not death to die."  The organist, Mr. C.L. Renshaw, rendered the "Dead March" at the close of the service.  The pastor, Rev. A.J. Keeley, read the funeral service in place of the first lesson, and in an eloquent sermon he spoke of the bright life of the deceased; how his presence always cheered; how he was always ready to do anything to help, and said they must not think of him as lying in France, but as triumphant over death. 

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear Son and Brother, Private Frank Heys, who was killed in action in France, July 22nd, 1916.

"Just when his hopes were brightest,
Just when his thoughts were best,
He was taken from this world of sorrow,
Into eternal rest.

A loving son and brother kind,
A beautiful memory left behind."

From his loving Father, Mother, and Sisters; also his loving Sweetheart Alice.