Notes
His biography on the college website states: ‘Francis Algernon was born in Granville Place, London W, the eldest of the six children of Francis Monckton of Stretton Hall, Stafford and his wife, Evelyn Mary Heber-Percy. He was baptised on 5 June 1890 at St Mary‘s, Bryanston Square, but known as Frank to differentiate him from his father. In 1891, the family were at Stretton Hall where they employed fifteen servants.
Frank was educated at Wixenford School [now Ludgrove] Wokingham and Eton. He came up to Christ Church in 1909. He had an interest in ornithology and “The Field” of 14 November 1908 p.888 had a report from him that he had recorded hearing the corn bunting in November near Eton. The seventh volume of “British Birds” also carried reports from him: “Birds in Staffordshire. A young drake Gadwall was shot on January 14th at Stretton. I saw 2 Knots on October 12th 1913 at Bellfields Reservoir. I watched them for some time through powerful glasses and when one flew close past me, I could distinctly see the grey rump. I believe the only previous satisfactory record of the Knot for Staffordshire is one shot at Tittensor near Trentham in December 1892. On the night of November 6-7th 1913, there was a large immigration of many different species and I saw three Ruffs [Machetes Pugnax] at Bellfields on the 7th. These birds seem to have stayed there till the end of the month, as I saw them again on the 9th, 16th 20th and 29th after which date, I did not go there. I believe there are only two previous records of the Ruff for Staffordshire – one which I saw at Bellfields in 1911 or 1912, and one which was shot at Norton Pool near Chasetown. Francis A Monckton.' 'Late stay of House martin in Staffordshire. Mr. F.A. Monckton reports a single House-martin [Hurundo u. ifrbica] at Stretton Hall near Stafford on November 23rd 1913.”
He also wrote poetry and his nephew, Mr A S Monckton considers The New Hunter to be his best. Frank was already serving at the outbreak of War. The following excerpts are from: 1st Battalion Scots Guards - War Diary August 4th, 1914 to November 1914.
Aldershot
August 4th (6 p.m.) Order to ‘mobilise’ received.
'November 4th Quiet day. Make point d’appui near wood round burnt farmhouse.
5th Heavy shelling.
4th Reinforcement. Sgt. Howson and 50 R and F.
6th VELTHOEK. Fairly quiet day.
5th Reinforcement. Lt. B. W. Smith and 60 R and F.
7th – do – Heavy shelling.
8th – do – Fairly heavy shelling. Enemy break through French and N. Lancs. get into communication trench and enfilade battalion trenches. L. N. Lancs. and our supports counter attacked and regained lost trenches. Germans remained in right trenches. Attempts made to turn them out with machine gun fire.
Killed. Lt. R. N. Gipps, Lt. F.A.Monckton
Wounded. Lt. B. W. Smith (died of wounds), J. S. Stuart (died of wounds), Lt. J. S. Dyer Bt.
Missing. Lt. A. W. Douglas-Dick.
9th VELTHOEK. Fairly quiet day.
10th – do – Heavy shelling.'
Frank was killed at Hooge, near Ypres. He is commemorated on Panel 11 at the Menin Gate. His name is on a memorial in St John’s Church Stretton, together with that of his brother, Geoffrey Valentine Francis Monckton Lt. Scots Guards killed in action at Cuinchy, nr La Bassee 1915, and cousin, Christopher Monckton killed at Mons En Chaussee, France 1916. Probate was granted to his father on 12 December 1914. He left £400-7s-9d.