DAWES, Frank [of Gunthorpe]

Frank Drakes in the South Notts Hussars, 1914-15

Courtesy of C. Drakes

Frank Drakes in later life

Courtesy of C. Drakes

South Notts Hussars

By Jayne Amat

Born in Bassingham, Lincolnshire, in 1889, Frank Drakes worked as a rancher in Canada and upon his return to England in 1910, as a fishmonger and Master Butcher in Nottingham.

Frank purchased Gunthorpe Hall in about 1914 and lived there with his wife Emily Kate ‘Daisy’ and son Richard. Daughters Nora and Joan were later born at the hall. Frank farmed a substantial amount of land in Gunthorpe and during WWI served with the South Notts Hussars. 

In addition to the hall, the Drakes family also maintained a home in Canada and they travelled frequently between the two properties. Frank sold Gunthorpe Hall in about 1927 and the sale of the contents, which included valuable antiques, suits of armour and stags heads, took three days. Unfortunately, due to the poor weather, very few purchasers attended the sale.