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Godfrey MILLS enlisted, aged 20, at the start of the First World War, and was assigned to the 52
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
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Monchy-le-Prex in 1918, Godfrey Mills was killed. He was unmarried and gave his mother of 7
Avenue south, Kenora, Ontario, as his next of kin.

In Memoriam: Buried in Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, France.
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Frank TOSSELL, 20 Battalion, the London Regiment
1894-1st July 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
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assigned to the 1 /20 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
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throughout the summer and by 15 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.