Name
Frederick Charles Neville
27/08/1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/12/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/10980
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL
Panel 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey
Pre War
Frederick Charles Neville, born in Watford on the 27 August 1898, the second son of Thomas Edward and Lilian Neville. He enlisted at Mill Hill, Middlesex, aged 16.
Wartime Service
When war broke out Frederick enlisted as Private G/10980 at Mill Hill with the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He arrived in France on the 19 October 1915, aged just 17 and far too young to be performing overseas service with the British Army.
On the 29th November 1917, the Battalion were in Reserve positions near the village of Moevres, France, having been in front line trenches for the previous three days. The following morning the Germans made an extremely heavy counter attack on the positions, which were now held by the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, and the 17th Middlesex were ordered to assist in fending off the enemy attack. A bitter fight now erupted and, over the next three days, the Battalion fought doggedly to retain their positions from the advancing Germans. On the the last day, 3rd December, German artillery laid a heavy barrage on the Battalion positions and it was during this bombardment that Frederick Neville was killed. His body was never recovered and he has no known grave.
Additional Information
Son of Thomas Edward and Lilian Neville, of 35, Oxhey St., Watford. Also see ‘Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Paul Johnson
