Name
Frederick Waters
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/10/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43950
Essex Regiment
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PREMONT BRITISH CEMETERY
I. A. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1899 in Hitchin and his parents were George and Annie Waters (née Cherry). They married in Hitchin in 1883.
In 1901 the family were living at 19 Althorpe Road, Northampton. Annie (39) was present, but George (38) was absent and appears to be working away and boarding at 30 Broad Street, Loughborough, Leics. Their children were: Percy George (18), Annie (17), Willie (14), Mabel (12), Maud (7), Ethel (4) and Freddie (2).
By 1911 the family had moved to Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, Beds. Present were both parents, George now working as a furniture dealer. The census recorded they had been married for 28 years with 9 children, all living. Of the above children Percy, Annie and Willie were no longer present, and there was one new sibling Dolly (9).
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and was living in Biggleswade when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
At present we know little of Frederick’s war. The lack of any sort of ‘Star’ recorded on his medals card, means that he did not go abroad un after the start of 1916.
He initially served as Private 50240, Bedfordshire Regiment, but at some point he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment.
He was wounded on 9 September 1918 while with the Essex Regiment and as a result was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204. However, the War Diary shows the 10th Essex to have been at Faviére Wood, training and there is no mention of any injury – perhaps on this date he was still with Bedfordshires., although there is no mention of reinforcement joining the 10th Essex Regiment between then and the date of his death with them.
For the most part, up to October 16th, Frederick’s Battalion were training at Allonville. They received orders to move on that date. They moved to Villers Faucon, Premont, Reumont and then billets on the outskirts of Le Cateau on the morning of the 21st and then prepared for an attack on the 23rd as part advance to victory.
They had assembled by 0020 and had been shelled during they assembly. The British barrage commenced at 0120 and the attack commenced shortly afterwards, and during this Frederick was killed. The War Diary lists the casualties for October 23rd to 27th as 1 officer killed, 2 subsequently died of wounds and 7 wounded and in the other ranks 20 killed, 5 died of wounds and 140 wounded.
Additional Information
After his death £13 11s 2d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, George, on 3 April 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £7 10s was authorised to be paid to him on 22 December 1919.
His pension cards record Mrs Annie Waters as his mother and next of dependant, living at 2 Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, Beds. She was awarded a pension of 5s week from 6 May 1919. After Annie’s death the details were amended to his father George.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
