Frederick Handscombe

Name

Frederick Handscombe
19/06/1865

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

08/12/1917
52

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Chief Armourer
126108(PO)
Royal Navy
H.M.S. President

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War Medal
Mentioned in Despatches

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

CHESHUNT BURIAL GROUND
13. EG.
United Kingdom

Headstone Inscription

He has no family inscription on his Headstone.

UK & Other Memorials

Not on the Cheshunt memorials, Hawkhurst War Memorial, Kent

Pre War

Frederick Handscombe was born in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, on the 19th June 1865, son of Jesse Handscombe a, Carpenter and Sarah Ann Handscombe, believed to be one of six children.

1871 Census records Frederick aged 6, living with his parents, sisters, Mary (12), Sarah (8), brother’s Jesse (10) and Henry (3) at, a Private House in Waltham Cross, Herts. The census record Handscomb without the “e”.

1881 Census records Frederick aged 15, working as a Shop Boy at a Seed Merchants, living with his parents, and brother Arthur (9) at, Swan Field, Cheshunt, Herts. The family have two Lodgers.

Frederick enlisted in the Royal Navy at Portsmouth, on the 8th February 1884, for 10 years, he gave his age as 19 years and his Trade as a Gunsmith and issued with the service number 126108 (PO).

1891 Census not found.

In late 1893, Frederick married Emma Jane Sidwell (nee Westlake) at Portsea Island, Hampshire. Emma’s first husband James Sidwell a Royal Navy sailor, drowned in Australia in 1890. Frederick and Emma went on to have one son Horace Douglas Handscombe born at Portsea Island, Hants, in 1895.

1901 Census. Frederick, Emma and Horace are living at, 105 Ernest road, Portsmouth, Hants, Frederick occupation is recorded as: Chief Armourer Royal Navy.

He retired from the Royal Navy in February 1904, after 20 years’ service.

1911 Census records Frederick (46), as Retired living with Emma (45), Horace (16), a Student, they are now living at, Tongswood Power House, Hawkhurst, Kent. They have two plumbers boarding with them.

Wartime Service

At the outbreak of war Frederick re-joined the Royal Navy in August 1914, posted to HMS Excellent - a shore base at Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hants, a Marine Warfare School. In October 1914, he was transferred HMS “President” an HQ Ship based on the River Thames in London.

Frederick was Mentioned in Dispatches, details not found.

Frederick died of a heart condition on the 8th December 1917, aged 52. He is buried in the Cheshunt Burial Ground, Bury Green Road, Cheshunt, Herts.

Additional Information

Emma received a widow’s pension of 18/9, a week from 13th June 1918, her address is recorded as 80 Junction Road, Holloway, N9.

Frederick, has a non-CWGC grave, with the inscription:

At the outbreak of war their son Horace, enlisted in the Royal Horse & Royal Field Artillery, issued with the service number 91544. He was recommended for a Commission and Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 28th July 1917, Horace survived the war.

Acknowledgments

Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild