A 1908 Taddy & Co. QPR Cigarette Card from Series 2 – Frank Cannon

Taddy & Co. produced three sets of cards in their Prominent Footballer series; 1907, 1908 and finally in 1913.

The first series has already been featured and this particular card is the fourth from the second series that was issued during 1908.

Once again the series included two different back designs, ‘Imperial Tobacco’ and ‘Grapnel Mixture’.

On the reverse side of this card it reads: ‘A ripe, full flavoured Pipe Tobacco, fine cut. In a good well-seasoned briar or a well-coloured meerschaum it will be found an admirable tobacco.’

Frank was born in Ware, Hertfordshire, on 8th November 1888 and began his playing career with Hitchin Town whilst working for a firm of solicitors.

He signed for QPR in 1907 after turning professional and made his debut at Millwall on 29th February 1908. Frank went on to make 29 1st team appearances, scoring 10 goals, before moving on to West Ham United in 1909.

After the outbreak of war, Frank joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. Later, he was transferred to the Essex Regiment and rose to the rank of Sgt Major.

Aged just 27, Frank was killed by shrapnel at Ypres on 15th February 1916 and left behind his wife Violet, and three children. He was buried at Potijze Burial Ground in Belgium.

Quarter Master Sgt J. P. Martin later described the circumstances of his death in a letter: ‘He was just ready to leave the trench when several shrapnel shells burst over him, wounding him and several others.

Although his wound was rather serious, he was wounded in the back. It was quite thought he would get back to England and recover, but I am sorry to say he died on his way to the dressing station about an hour after he was hit.’

Steve Russell

One thought on “A 1908 Taddy & Co. QPR Cigarette Card from Series 2 – Frank Cannon

Comments are closed.