Mexborough and Swinton Times June 23, 1917

Corporal Francis Michael Mullins
York and Lancaster

31, Queen Street, New Scarborough, Wombwell, was killed in action in France on May 11. He enlisted in September 1914 and was formerly employed at Houghton Main.

His parents have received the following touching letter from another son at the Front, bombardier Patrick Mullins (Royal Field Artillery):

“Dear Mother and Dad,

I expect you will heard about poor Frank’s death. It was a terrible shock to me, for I was built up on being in the way of meeting him once more.

I’ve seen one of the Barnsley lads, and they told me they were billeted in the village. I went into the canteen and met some more Barnsley lads who told me poor Frank gone under. They also told me how it occurred. They said they had an attack on, and he was in charge of the bombers. They took the trench, while they were consolidated it he was shot through the head.

It must have been an exploding bullet, for it went through a steel helmet.

All the lads of the battalion liked him very much, and they say did not know what fear was when he was about the execution of his duty, and that if he had returned safely he would have got his third strike. It had not to be, though, poor lad.

You must console yourselves in the thought that he died nobly and for a just cause, and that he was one of the bravest men who ever entered the trenches.”

Copper Mullins was 21 years of age