War Memorial
Frank Garner was born in 1885 at Northchurch in Hertfordshire, and it was there that he later enlisted, joining the Royal Army Service Corps under the number T/2131. By the time of the First World War he was serving as a Private in the 7th Battalion of The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, having transferred with the new service number L/11387.
His connection with Leigh came through his marriage. In June 1910 he wed Laura, whose maiden name was also Frank, and the couple settled in Leigh Village. Their son, Frank George Garner, was baptised at St. Mary's, Leigh, on 27th October 1912.
Private Garner was killed in action on 21st March 1918, the opening day of the German spring offensive. With no known grave, he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. His name also appears on the Leigh War Memorial and on the memorial at Northchurch, marking both communities that claimed him as their own.