Page 28 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

Godfrey MILLS enlisted, aged 20, at the start of the First World War, and was assigned to
the 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry. He was soon promoted to Company Sgt Major and
was awarded the Military Medal in 1916. His Battalion was in action in France and during
an attack west of Monchy-le-Prex in 1918, Godfrey Mills was killed. He was unmarried and
gave his mother of 7th Avenue south, Kenora, Ontario, as his next of kin.

In Memoriam: Buried in Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, France.

Frank TOSSELL, 20th Battalion, the London Regiment
1894 - 15th September 1916

In 1911, Master-baker William Tossell and his wife, Mary had a very successful combined
business of Baker’s shop and Post Office in Foots Cray High Street. Assisted by their
eldest son, George, and daughter Violet, who worked behind the Post Office counter, they
came in almost daily contact with the people of the village.

Their 16-year-old son, Frank, first served as an apprentice draper’s assistant with Jones &
Higgins of Sidcup, and later he found employment with Chieseman Brothers of Lewisham,
a large department store in Lewisham High Street. Frank’s outgoing, engaging personality
was ideal for gaining the confidence of the hundreds of female customers who daily visited
and purchased items from his department. He was known to have earned the affection of
all who came in contact with him. When war was declared in 1914, Frank (who was now 19-
years-old) was one of the first to enlist and was assigned to the 1st/20th Battalion, The
London Regiment.

For the first two years Frank’s charm kept him safe and he went through some of the
fiercest fighting without even a scratch. Since enlisting, he was only able to get leave for
about four days. In 1916, Frank’s Regiment took part in the disastrous Battle of the Somme
with the battles continuing throughout the summer and by 15th September the London
Regiment was in the Battle of Flers-Courcellete. Despite the intense preliminary
bombardment, and some notable successes, the principal objectives were not gained. On
the very first day of the fighting, Frank’s luck ran out and he was tragically killed.

The Kentish Times printed a very sensitive and kind tribute: “the village of Foots Cray has
paid heavily in the toll of brave young lives laid down in their country’s cause, and the
latest to make the great sacrifice is the son of the best known and respected tradesman,
Mr. W. Tossell, with whom, and Mrs. Tossell, the greatest sympathy is felt. Private Frank
Tossell was only 22-years-of-age and being a bright, likeable lad, his parent’s grief is very
deep.”

Mr. Frank Chieseman, on behalf of Chieseman Bros., wrote a very sincere letter of
condolence: “I learn from some of my staff that your dear son, formerly with us, had met
with misfortune, in a brave charge. The news has cast a gloom over the staff. His bright,
cheerful, intelligent manner had made us all love him, and while his sense of duty made
him a soldier, and a brave, fearless one, his nature was far different and more suitable for
love and peace. I would that our news was incorrect but fear this it is not so. We
sympathise with you and yours in your very sad loss, and assure you that his memory will
be here held in respect and love for many a long day.”

In Memoriam - Frank Tossell is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Belgium along
with 72,203 others who have no known grave.

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