Frank Reginald Bothamley
| Second Lieutenant | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1916 |
| Died |
24 July 1942 (aged 25–26) Totland Bay Military Hospital, Isle of Wight |
| Education | Boston Grammar School (1926-c1929) |
| Employer | Lincolnshire Canners; British Army |
| Parents | Frank Leonard Bothamley, Sarah Turner Bothamley |
Frank Reginald "Rex" Bothamley was educated at Boston Grammar School (1926-c1929).
Obituary
Died on 24th July 1942.
He was 26 years old when he died and he is buried in Holy Trinity Churchyeard, on Spilsby Road, Boston.
'Rex' Bothamley, as he was always known, entered Boston Grammar School on September 15th 1926. Following his father's early death (on 2 October 1929) he left education - going to work as a clerk with Lincolnshire Canners, London Road, Boston. He later moved to the company's works at West Lynn, Norfolk, but came home to Boston most weekends as he was a member of the Territorial Army in Boston, and also belonged to both the Rowing and the Rugby clubs. He was well known in the town and according to those who knew him, very well liked.
He was called up into the Army in late 1939 and was posted to Ripon, where he was billeted in a school. 'Rex' rose in rank to be Regimental-Quartermaster0Sergeant with the 2md Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, his clerical experience and a nodding acquaintance with food possibly being a qualification, and he was recommended for a commission in December 1941.
He served with the battalion in Norway and Iceland and died of injuries received on manoeuvres. His unit was on the Isle of Wight and he was demonstrating to his men the use of an anti-tank grenade weapon, possibly the PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank), that fired a preculiar piece of equipment that was part bomb, part shell and part grenade. Before it could be fired, the primed grenade fell out and exploded, seriously injuring 'Rex' in the neck and legs. Gangrene set in and one leg had to be amputated. It is possible that his other leg was removed also. However the shock proved too great and he died at Totland Bay Military Hospital.