Service: 4th battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
Service no: F/200038
Date and place of birth: 12 October 1890 in Midhurst, Sussex
Date and place of death: 26 March 1917 (aged 26) in Egypt
Family background
Frank John Tribe was born 12 October 1890. He was the son of John and Annie Tribe, nee Lintott, who had married in Midhurst on 4 August 1888.
In 1891 Frank was six months old and living with his family: John (35), journeyman blacksmith, Anne (26), Clara (5) and Mabel (2) at Dean House, Tillington, Sussex.
In 1901 he was living with his parents and Mabel (12) in South Ambersham. John Tribe was working as a blacksmith.
Clara Tribe (14) was working as a general servant at Moor Farm, Easebourne, Sussex in the household headed by Benjamin Challice, farmer.
In 1911 Frank Tribe was working as a farrier for his father John (Jack) Tribe and was living with his parents and sister Mabel (21), grocery bookkeeper, in Wool Lane, Midhurst. Lodging with them was Robert Read (24), journeyman baker.
Frank John Tribe married Elizabeth Hetty Dodd on 1 November 1913.
In 1911 Hetty (21), dressmaker, was living with her mother Elizabeth Dodd (63), widow, boarding housekeeper, at 343 St Anne’s Hill, Midhurst. Staying with them was William Bourne (68), journeyman tailor.
Military service
Frank John Tribe enlisted on 8 August 1915 in Midhurst.
He joined the Royal Sussex Regiment, 4th battalion.
The 4th Battalion was formed in August 1914 in Horsham and was attached to the Home Counties Division. On 24 April 1915 it transferred to 160th Brigade in 53rd Division. It moved to Cambridge in May 1915 and then went to Bedford. The Battalion launched at Suvi Bay, Gallipoli on 9 August 1915. In 1917 the Battalion moved into Palestine and took part in operations there.
The first battle of Gaza took place 26 – 27 March 1917.
Frank Tribe was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.
Death and commemoration
Frank Tribe was killed in action on 26 March 1917.
He is buried in the Jerusalem Military Cemetery.
His entry in the Commonwealth War Grave listing states:
Sergeant Frank John Tribe, son of John Tribe of Station Road, Midhurst and husband of Hetty Elizabeth Tribe of Lynton, Petersfield Road, Midhurst, age 26.
His effects were authorised to [his] widow, Elizabeth Tribe.
He is commemorated in the Jerusalem Memorial Register, Part 2 M – Z and on Stedham War Memorial.
Subsequent family history
Ann(ie) Tribe died in 1916 in Midhurst district.
John (Jack) Tribe died in 1930 in Midhurst District.
Elizabeth Hetty otherwise Hetty Elizabeth Tribe of Lynton, Petersfield Road, Midhurst, widow, died 15 March 1963. Probate was granted to Evelyn Mary Sherwood, widow.