Frank was born in Dovercourt, Essex in 1919. He was the son of Sargeant Bertie Firman and his wife Edith Frances (née Dennant).
Frank was a Third Officer on board the SS Kirnwood, a merchant ship owned by the Constantine Shipping Company Ltd, Middlesborough. On 11th August 1940, the Kirnwood came under attack by the Germans causing three fatalities amongst the crew. They were: James Daglish, a steward, Roger Hackett, the chief cook and Frank Firman.
The SS Kirnwood was attacked again the following year when it was sunk by a torpedo fired by U-130. The ship’s master and eleven crew members were lost and thirty-three were rescued.
Frank's parents, Sargeant and Frances, lived at Deben View on Melton Road.