17 January 1870 Launceston Tasmania Australia Not married Not known

Francis Ashton (Frank) Warner was born on 17 Jan 1870 at Subathoo, West Bengal, India. He was the eldest child of Lieutenant Colonel Ashton Henry Warner (1839-1912), of the 41st (Welsh) Regiment. His father had been a governor of the Hobart Gaol, and was a colonel in command of the Northern Volunteers in 1888. Frank's mother was Elizabeth Sparrowe (or Spanowe) Hastings. Frank's siblings were Evelyn, born in Dalhousie, India in 1872; Olive, born in Cardiff, Wales in 1877; Leila Ashton, born in Aldershot, Hampshire, UK in 1879; Hugh Ashton, born in Ulverstone, Tasmania, in 1886 and Gladys, born in Launceston in 1888.

Frank joined Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry in 1899 and took part in battles at Mooi River, Colenso and the Siege of Ladysmith. He was serving as a private when, on 24 Jan 1900, he was killed in action at the battle of Spion Kop, Natal, South Africa, while binding the wounds of a comrade. He was 30 years old. His name is carved on the monument standing at Spion Kop. His name is also on a brass plaque in the chapel at the Launceston Church Grammar School, where he was a student.

Reg A Watson, Marion Sargent & Barbara Valentine Jul 2010; Phyllis Kininmonth Mar 2026