Nightingale, FL

2nd Lieutenant Frank Leslie Nightingale

Born on January 30^th 1881 Frank was the eldest of three children of Leonard Nightingale, an artist and teacher of painting who was himself an OA, and his wife, Agnes. He spent time at the Prep and at Richmond House School, Sandgate, before coming to the College in May 1896. He was a notable sportsman, particularly as a cricketer, and in 1899 and 1900 was in the cricket 1^st XI, topping the batting averages in the latter year, his last at Dulwich before leaving that summer. He went on to take a degree in arts at London University, before returning to the College in 1906 as an Assistant Master. He served as Principal Master in charge of drawing, but was also heavily involved in the organising and coaching of cricket and other sports, as well as spending several years as Form master of the Lower Third B.

In September 1914 Frank left Dulwich to volunteer for military service, enlisting as a member of the Rifle Brigade. In January 1915, shortly after being promoted to Lance-Corporal, he went over to France for the first time, and was originally posted to Armentieres before spending time at Bailleul and Ploegsteert. He spent two months in hospital at Rouen early that summer, before reuniting with his unit in July. In October he began a period of training at St Omer, as a result taking up a commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment the following month. Weeks later, on December 19^th 1915, he was killed by a heavy artillery bombardment whilst on the Menin Road, near Ypres.