Frank Joseph Foden

2^nd Lieutenant, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)

Frank Joseph Foden was a student at Alleyn’s until 1898 and lived at 44 Garborne Road, Honor Oak Park. He joined the war effort after being granted a commission in the London Regiment and was gazetted to the Royal Fusiliers after completing his officer training. During his time with the Fusiliers, Frank served overseas on the Western Front and took part in the second phase of the Battle of the Somme in September 1916. During this operation, the Fusiliers played a main role in the Battle of Ginchy which aimed to gain the high ground in the area in preparation for the general attack taking place in mid-September. The attack to gain this ground was launched on September 9^th and was successful in capturing Ginchy and repelling several German counter-attacks, but this positive result came at the cost of a high number of casualties. Unfortunately, it was during this action that Frank was killed on September 9^th 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.