Name
Frederick Harvey How
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/05/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/18744
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DICKEBUSCH NEW MILITARY CEMETERY EXTENSION
III. A. 4.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Abbots Langley Village Memorial
Biography
Frederick How was born in the summer of 1889 to Richard and Olivia Emma How. He had two brothers William and Arthur. By the time of the 1901 Census his father had died and his mother had married Henry Smith, a Railway Plate Layer, living in Railway Terrace. Henry had three daughters from a previous marriage.
Frederick attested on 10th February 1916, and was put on the Army Reserve until he was mobilised on 22nd June 1916, and posted to the 5th Royal Fusiliers. At this point he gave his occupation as a Coal Carman, and was living at 34 Railway Terrace. On 4th October 1916 he embarked for France, arriving the next day, and was posted to the 11th Royal Fusiliers at Etaples. On the 14th October he was transferred to 11th Royal West Kent’s, and two days later joined that battalion in the Field.
The Conduct Sheet in his Service Record revealed that on 17th March 1917 he was sentenced to 10 days Field Punishment Number 2 for “Irregular Conduct – leaving the trenches without permission”. Field Punishment was introduced in 1881 following the abolition of flogging. In Field Punishment Number 2, the prisoner was placed in handcuffs and fetters for up to two hours in twenty-four, for not more than three days in any four, and for no more than twenty-one days. No further information has been found, as to the reason for Frederick’s absence from the trenches, and he may have been very lucky not to have been sentenced to death for such a breach of regulations.
On 27th May 1917 Frederick was recorded killed in action. No further information has been found concerning the circumstances of his death. However, in the weeks leading up to the Battle of Messines, which commenced on 7th June 1917, 11th Battalion Royal West Kent was in reserve to the south-west of the village of Dickebusch where Frederick was buried.
Frederick’s death was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in July 1917. He was incorrectly listed as serving with the Royal Fusiliers.
“Frederick Harvey How, of the Royal Fusiliers (sic) was killed in action on Whit Sunday. He was the youngest son of Mrs Harvey Smith of Railway Terrace.”
On 22nd January 1918 articles of Frederick’s private property were despatched to his Mother, and included his identity disc; a letter; photos; a snuff box; two razors; two metal mirrors in cases; and a comb.
His elder brother, William Howe was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour as serving with the 12th Suffolk’s. He survived the War.
Frederick Harvey How was buried at Dickesbusch New Military Cemetery Extension in Flanders, and on the Abbots Langley War Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
