“SERGT.-MAJOR H. L. FRANK M.B.E. The death of Sergeant Major H. L. Frank occurred suddenly at his home Tory street last evening. Although he had been confined to his bed for several days there was no indication that his illness was serious but a seizure during the evening resulted in his death. Warrant Officer Frank, who was recently awarded the M.B.E., had been associated with the New Zealand Armed Services for 42 years, being a member of the Permanent Forces for the past 29 years as Staff Sergeant Major. His first military service was with the old Nelson Rifles under the volunteer system. He soon established himself as one of the best rifle shots in the Dominion and in 1911 was selected for the New Zealand team which went to England to compete at Bisley in the Empire competition for the Kolapur Cup on the occasion of the Coronation of King George V. After that competition he remained in England to receive training at the famous School of Musketry at Hythe. Returning to New Zealand he joined the Permanent Forces in 1912. During the Great War he was posted to the Main Body of the N.Z.E.F. but was retained in the Dominion as musketry instructor for the training of officers and N.C.O.'s at Featherston and Trentham camps. Staff Sergt Major Frank was awarded both the British and New Zealand Meritorious Service Medals for his services during the war. He also held the King’s Jubilee Medal and the Long and Efficient Service Medal. For a period of 25 years he was a prominent competitor at the N.Z. Rifle meetings at Trentham consistently qualifying in the first twelve. In 1925 he won the King’s Medal, the award for the New Zealand Military shooting championship. In addition to representing New Zealand at Bisley in 1911 he was a member of two New Zealand rifle teams which visited Australia. For the past 18 years Staff Sergeant-Major Frank was stationed at the Nelson Army Office, and at the time of his death he was attached to the 1st Nelson. Marlborough and West Coast Regiment. Born in Nelson 60 years ago the late Sergt.-Major Frank in his youth was a member of the Rival Rugby Football Club. He was a member of the Oddfellows’ Lodge. For several years he had been the honorary secretary of the Nelson Anglers’ Club, and had served as a member of the Nelson Swimming Centre. He is survived by his wife, and one daughter and one son—Miss G. M. Frank (Nelson) Sergeant J. J. Frank (Army School of Instruction, Trentham).” [Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 28 July 1941, Page 6]