Francis Burton (Frank) Ridsdale was born in 1897 at Sicklinghall, one of eight children, and the eldest son, born to Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Ridsdale. The 1911 Census records Frank as a 13-year-old schoolboy, living with his parents on the family farm at Sicklinghall with his parents and all seven of his siblings.
Frank was working as a shop assistant when he voluntarily enlisted (under age) into the Army on 15th November 1915. He was posted on 5th May 1916 to the British Expeditionary Force in France where he joined the 21st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (K.R.R.C.). On 30th May 1916 he was appointed lance corporal (unpaid), a rank that he held throughout an attachment to 124th Trench Mortar Battery which extended from 31st May to 26th July. Five days after rejoining his battalion his rank reverted to rifleman at his own request. A further attachment to the Trench Mortar Battery took place from 1st to 4th September.
As the 1916 Battle of the Somme continued, 21st K.R.R.C. moved up to its assembly trenches on the northern side of Delville Wood in readiness to attack the enemy lines. The progress of the battalion's attack on the following day is recorded in its war diary:
The attack started at 6.30 after artillery preparation, and the first objective, the SWITCH TRENCH, was taken without difficulty, practically no living enemy being encountered. After further artillery preparation the attacking force went on and took the second objective, the FLERS TRENCH, where a few prisoners were taken, but the enemy showed little disposition to fight. During this stage of the advance the battalion suffered rather heavily through getting too near to our own barrage. It was found impossible to continue the advance, owing to lack of support on the flanks, and the line of the second objective was consolidated. During this stage of the operations the battalion lost [three subalterns] killed and [four captains and three subalterns] wounded. Later in the day Lt.-Col. the Earl of Feversham went forward with Lt.-Col. Oakley of the 10th Queen’s, and as many men as could be collected, to endeavour to occupy the third and fourth objectives in front of GUEUDECOURT village. They reached the third objective and successfully withstood more than one counter attack. During this time Lt.-Col. the Earl of Feversham was killed. They were eventually forced to retire and consolidate on a line about 400 yards in front of the second objective, where the remnants of the battalion remained until relieved about 3am the following morning…The total casualties were 4 officers and 54 other ranks killed, 10 officers and 256 other ranks wounded, and 70 other ranks missing.
It was almost certainly during this attack when Frank was fatally wounded. He died of his wounds on 17th September 1916 at No. 36 Casualty Clearing Station and is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe.