26th IEE Member to Fall in World War 1 – Sapper F E Tilley

Sapper Frank Edgar Tilley of the Divisional Engineers, Royal Naval Division, died 2 July 1915, the 26th member of the IEE to die in World War 1.

Frank Tilley was educated at the Lyttleton Grammar School, Great Malvern (1894-1898) and at the Intermediate School for Boys Newport (1898-1902) where he passed the Matriculation Examination of the University of London in 1901. In September 1902 having left school Frank was apprenticed as Pupil with Tannett, Walker & Co. Ltd of Leeds, mechanical and hydraulic engineers, for a period of 3 years. Whilst so employed he attended evening classes in mechanical and electrical engineering under Professor John Goodman and others at the Yorkshire College. Following termination of his apprenticeship Frank joined Laurence Scott & Co Ltd of Norwich where he spent 12 months erecting and testing electrical plant and machinery. Frank then took up a similar position with The Lancashire Dynamo and Motor Company Ltd before leaving to join Siemens Brothers’ Dynamo Works Ltd, London, as an engineer in September 1907. He then spent 5 years with the company based in Cardiff supervising the contract work at various collieries. In November 1912 Frank resigned to go to Brazil and work as an Assistant Electrical Engineer with The St John Del Rey Mining Company Ltd. He then returned to the UK in 1913 with the expectation of taking another appointment in Brazil but because of the increasingly uncertain political situation Frank sought engagement with other employers until the outbreak of war.

In September 1914, shortly after the declaration of war Frank enlisted in the then newly raised Divisional Engineers, Royal Naval Division, in September 1914 and was put through military training in Kent. His Division was placed under orders to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and in consequence sailed for the East on 28 February 1915. Frank’s Division was sent to the Gallipoli Peninsula and took part in the Battles of Helles (25 April to 6 June 1915). After these battles no further attacks on a wide front were carried out during the remainder of June, but the Turks remained active in carrying out minor operations. A vigorous local offensive (Action of Gulley Ravine) took place 28 June to 2 July 1915 and during this action Frank was with his Company, then with supporting troops, on the morning of 30 June. The Turks were shelling the British positions heavily; a shrapnel shell burst near him, and he was hit in the abdomen by one of its fragments, being mortally wounded. He was conveyed to the Casualty Clearing Station at ‘Lancashire Landing’, where he succumbed to his injuries 2 days later.

Sapper Tilley’s obituary was published in the IEE World War I Honour Roll and these details have been reproduced below.