Frank Tucker was born in the Devon village of Georgeham on 7th June 1890. The youngest of seven children, his parents were farmers Charles and Mary Tucker.

When Frank completed his schooling, he joined his older siblings helping on the farm. The 1911 census recorded all but one of the Tucker household doing agricultural work, Frank’s older sister Hannah being the exception, as she was working as an elementary school teacher.

War broke out in the summer of 1914, and Frank would be called upon to play his part. He did not enlist until 21st June 1918, however, when he joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private. His service papers note that he was 5ft 10ins (1.77m) tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Private Tucker was sent to the Royal Marine depot in Eastney, Hampshire, for this training, but his time there was not to be a lengthy one.

It is with regret that we have to record the death from pneumonia, of Pte. Frank Tucker (RMA) son of Mr and Mrs C Tucker, or Darracott, which occurred at Haslar Hospital, Gosport, on Tuesday in last week after a brief illness. Deceased, aged 28, had been serving with the colours just a month, and his death came as a sad blow to his many friends and relatives resident in Braunton and district.

[North Devon Journal: Thursday 25th July 1918]

The body of Frank Tucker was taken back to Devon for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St George’s Church in his home village.

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