Born Newcastle, England, Cof E. In 1892, acting on the advice of his father, a Newcastle doctor, Frank Manford came to Western Australia to improve his health and was soon drawn to the Murchison goldfields. He returned to England to fight with the Northumberland Fusiliers in the South African (Boer) War. He returned to Western Australia and by 1917, his Company, Frank Manford Pty Ltd. was well established. Enlisted on 20 April 1917 age 44, merchant. Nok wife, Mary Manford at The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove. Embarked at Fremantle 29 June 1917 per A30 Borda. Soon after his arrival in England he was hospitalised and diagnosed with heart disease and classed as ‘permanently unfit for all services’. Rather than return to Australia, he was discharged in England at his own request on 7 December 1917. A certificate confirming his discharge and his agreement to waive all access to a pension was mailed c/o Major Vaux at Langham, Sunderland. Service medals: BWM only. His discharge in England was an opportunity to spend time with his son Frank, attending school in Northumberland, and to extend his business interests. Frank Snr died in 1932 and Frank Manford Jnr took over the business and later served in the Second World War.
