Regiment: Welch Regt.
Died: 17 May 1916 aged 38 in France. Died of wounds at Merville.
Cemetery: Merville Communal VII A 17
Son of J. Gaskell C.B.E., and Emily Mary Gaskell, Cowbridge, Glamorgan.
Lower IV - Lower Modern I.
University College of S. Wales.
Served
in South African War with 3rd Batt. Welch Regt., Queen’s Medal with 5
Clasps.
Solicitor 1902. Barrister, Middle Temple, 1910; twice
unsuccessfully contested East
Glamorgan.
Great War (overseas), Captain
3rd Batt Welch Regt 1914; Lieut.-Colonel 16th Welch.
Husband of Violet Gaskell, of Boscobel, Llanishen, Cardiff.
'He practised for some years at Cardiff as a Solicitor and subsequently as a Barrister on the South Wales circuit. Taking an active part in public affairs and keenly interested in politics, he fought two Parliamentary elections and was the prospective Unionist Candidate for South Glamorgan. In the South African War he served with the 3rd V.B. Welsh Regt., and was promoted to Staff rank. At the outbreak of the present war he re-joined as a Captain, and was attached to the 2nd Welsh. He was wounded in the fighting on the Aisne and sent home, where he raised the Cardiff City Battalion, to the command of which he was appointed. He was severely wounded on May 16th, and died on the following day.' (Malvernian, Jun 1916).
Inscription at ST JOHN'S CHURCH, Cardiff: 'IN LOVING MEMORY OF/ LIEUT COLONEL FRANK HILL/ GASKELL OF THIS CITY/ IN THE GREAT WAR HE RAISED AND/ COMMANDED THE 16TH (CARDIFF CITY) BATTALION OF THE WELCH REGIMENT/ HE WAS TWICE SEVERELY WOUNDED/ AND DIED OF WOUNDS/ AT MERVILLE FRANCE MAY 17TH 1916/ AGED 37 YEARS/ "WHO HAD IT NOT IN HIM TO FEAR"'