Frank enlisted on 6th March 1911, joining as a bugler. He was 14 years and 4 months old, and was still at school. He entered the war in France on 19th August 1914 with the 2nd Field Ambulance. On 20th January 1915 he gained promotion to the rank of Corporal. He served on the Western Front until 18th July 1915, when he returned to the UK. He was then posted to serve with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. On 9th December 1917 he was appointed acting Serjeant, with pay, then gained promotion to the rank of temporary Warrant Officer, Class I on 22nd June 1918. On 15th May 1919 he returned again to the UK before being posted to serve in Egypt along with 66th Egyptian Reinforcements. He embarked at Dover on 5th September 1919, then disembarked at Alexandria on the 15th. He remained there until 25th August 1920. Frank continued to serve after the war, his new service number became 7246393.