KoncherClan

January 1st 1944 Cheltenham,Glos,UK Born: Place: Died: Place: Born: Place: Died: Place: July 6th, 1921 Cheltenham,Glos,UK Sept 12th, 2004 Cheltenham,Glos,UK Nov 29th, 1919 S Wilmington,IL,USA Jan 27th, 2002 Cheltenham,Glos,UK Plot: Plot: Cheltenham Cemetery Cheltenham Cemetery 2: Arthur Frederick 1923 3: Dennis (Twin) 1925 4: Francis (Twin) 1925 5: David William 1931 6: Joyce Violet Christine 1932 1: Hazel Laverne 1912 2: Stephen Junis 1914 3: Leona 1916 4: Dorothy Joan 1917 6: Anna Mae 1921

1: IRIS MAY FIELD

5: FRANK FRANCIS KONCHER

Frank was raised by his Grandma in Illinois during the depression years. On leaving school he worked at the local paper mill in Morris - a major employer for the town. In 1942 he registered for military service and was eventually billeted in Cheltenham as part of D-Day preparations. He married Iris in January 1944 and was shipped into France as part of the landings in June that year. After the war he was demobilised from Germany back to US. Iris followed on the GI bride program. Iris didn't settle to US life and at Christmas time 1947 he brought his wife (and new son) back to England - leaving his entire family behind, which I guess is what Iris had done in 1945. Frank and Iris settled back in Cheltenham and never moved anywhere else. Frank worked for many years as a paint sprayer and finisher at H.H. Martyns. He then left and became a porter at St Paul's Hospital and his last working years as handyman/attendant at Cheltenham Town Hall. He revisited his home town on two occasions only. Once with Iris when he probably caused no end of trouble. And one time when I arrived in Morris to celebrate my 50th birthday - and there he was - already there ! Your mom had shipped him over, completely unknown to me. Frank was diagnosed diabetic very late in life and after Iris had to be placed in a nursing home (as no-one could give her the constant nursing attention that was required), he went downhill quickly. Frank died in 2002 - leaving a lot of people remembering him.

Iris was born in G-G-Grampy Field’s house, 43 Sherborne Street, where the family sweep business was located. Whilst raising the family she was a collection agent for the Provident Clothing and Supply Co. for many years. It would be described as a credit agency today. She enjoyed playing Ladies League darts, but in her later years became a victim of Alzheimer’s and had to be cared for in a nursing home. Iris died in 2004.

Frank standing on the steps of Morris Post Office after enlisting in the USA army start of WW2

Frank standing on the steps of Morris Post Office after enlisting in the USA army start of WW2