Frank Lester
Monday 25 March 1918
Army Rank: CaptainNumber: Regiment: 9th Battalion East Surrey Born: Died: 25th March, 1918Age: 30Cause of Death: Killed in action Lester as Captain of H.C.S. Football Team, 1907 Commemorated at Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford Cathedral and Bellicourt British Cemetery.Son of Edwin and Kathleen Lester; husband of Marie Lester, of "Coonoor," St. Albans Avenue, Weybridge.Lester was a keen football player. This is clear from his ‘Valete’ in the April, 1908 edition of The Herefordian: VALETE F. Lester, 1st XI. Football, 1905-6-7; Captain of Football, 1906-7; 2nd Lieutenant of Cadet Corps; MonitorPast editions of The Herefordian particularly mention his sporting ability: ‘Football Character’F. Lester (Left Back). - Has made great progress since last season. Kicks and heads well, but is not at all a safe tackler, and decidedly slow. Should be very useful next year. The Herefordian April, 1905F. Lester (Captain, Left Back). – A sound back, who kicks and heads well, and tackles fearlessly. Was inclined to be rash at first, but in the later matches showed excellent judgement. As captain, inspired the rest of the team with the enthusiasm which so marks his own play, and spared no effort to increase keenness throughout school. [colour, 1906] The Herefordian April, 1907 F. Lester- Has plenty of dash, is very energetic and uses his head well. Inclined at first to wander up the field. He was rather handicapped during the latter part of the season by a sprained ankle. An excellent captain both on and off the field, who kept things going under trying circumstances; his two years captaincy has done much for School football. The Herefordian April, 1908‘THE “HULL” CHALLENGE CUP’Mr. P. C. Hull is an O.H. to whom we are indebted in a great many ways: and he has this year given a signal proof of his unflagging interest in the old School by presenting us with a Challenge Bowl which is to be held for a year by the winner of the annual steeplechase. We desire to express our heartfelt thanks to him for his services, not only on this occasion, but on innumerable others. Few O.H.’s can claim to have done so much for the School as Mr. Hull has done.The annual steeplechase was run off on December 11th. There were plenty of entries. F. Lester soon established a lead and kept it throughout the race, running with excellent judgment. Webber however hung on to him pluckily, and though very much exhausted finished a good second. We congratulate Lester on being the first holder of the cup. Time, 31 minutes 59 seconds.The Herefordian April, 1908The April, 1908 edition of The Herefordian also mentions his acting ability:School Concert, Wednesday, December 18th 1907 F. Lester played the cockney “bounder” to perfection.Records of Hereford Cathedral School, by Major J.C. Earles-White (1931) records Lester’s time at the school: Lester (1903-08) Frank. – Born 1888. 1st XI. Football, 1905, 1906, 1907.Captain of Football, 1906, 1907.2nd Lieut. Cadet Corps.Monitor.2nd Lieut. 6th Batt. East Surrey Regt., 1908.Captain 1910.Temp. Major, 1914, 2nd/6th Batt. East Surrey Regt.Served inj France.Killed in action when attached as Captain to 9th Batt. East surrey Reg.Originator of the London Old Herefordian Annual dinner in 1910.Chartered Accountant.The December, 1918 edition of The Herefordian contains a tribute to Lester, written by the London Representative O.H. Club: Major Frank Lester OH Among OH’s, especially in London, the death from wounds received in action of Frank Lester will be received with deep sorrow.He will always be remembered by London O. H’s for the hard work he put in to keep the London OH. Club going before the war, and as one who assisted him at the time of the annual dinners, I know the good work he did for the Club on those occasions.Frank Lester was every inch a soldier, and he knew his job thoroughly. Fearless, cheerful always, a true friend and comrade, he has met his end nobly. A career of great promise is thus cut short.The sympathies of all O.H’s in London will go out to the young widow and little daughter who are left to mourn him.Well done, old pal, good bye.J. C. EALES-WHITE (O.H.), Major,London Representative O.H. Club.