Life Story

Frank Tarr was born on the 18th August 1887 at Ironville, near Belper in

Derbyshire. He the only son of Frederick Tarr, a local coal merchant, and his

wife Emma. Francis had one older sister, Mabel. His father went on to train

as a lithographic printer, whilst Emma’s family

had an engineering background. Francis was

was baptised on the 25th September 1887 in

the local church - Christ Church, Ironville. The

family had moved to Leicester by April 1891,

with the census recording the family home

as 90 London Road, Leicester (opposite). In

March 1901 they had moved to Knighton Park

Road in Leicester, and they family had been joined by the maternal Uncle

William Sedgwick, a cigar manufacturer.

Francis was educated at Stoneygate School, Leicester where he developed

his interest in rugby, before moving up to Uppingham School in 1902. Here

he excelled in sports, being made Captain of Games and played three-

quarter in the rugby team for two years. Here he also met his future Oxford

and England teammate Ronald Poulton-Palmer who was playing for Rugby

School at the time. In 1906 he left Uppingham for Oxford University to

read law. After he graduated he returned to Leicester to practice law and

joined Leicester Tigers to play rugby. He was articled to Messrs. Owston,

Dickinson, Simpson and Bigg, and was about to take his nal examination

when he enlisted. He never married.