Name
Frederick Leslie Bland
14 Oct 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
77681
London Regiment
13th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ACHIET-LE-GRAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Sp. Mem. 2
France
Headstone Inscription
A YOUNG LIFE GIVEN FOR HOME AND COUNTRY
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Letchworth memorials, WW1 Memorial, Luton, Beds, Luton Co-op, Britsh legion, Leagrave, Luton, Beds.
Pre War
Frederick Leslie Bland was born in Luton on 14 Oct 1899 (baptised 11 Feb 1900 East Hyde, Beds to George William Bland and Martha Elizabeth (nee Johnson).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents (father was a station master, Ethel Mary (born 1891), Edgar Harry (born 1892), Ada Ella (born 1894), Frank Douglas (1895), Elsie (born 1895) and Frederick Leslie were living at Station Chambers, Hyde, Luton.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents (father was a station master), Ethel Mary, Edgar Harry (railway clerk), Ada Ella (draper’s assistant), Frank Douglas (houseboy), Elsie and Frederick Leslie were living at Chiltern Green Station nr. Luton.
His parents later lived at 8, Campers Road, Letchworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Frederick was enlisted in 53rd Young Soldiers Battalion as Private 63850 in the Training Reserve until he reached his 18th Birthday and became eligible for service abroad. No Service record was found for him.
Following his training he was posted as Private 77681 to 1st/13th (County of London) Princess Louise’s (Kensington) Battlion, London Regiment, this unit had been in France since Nov 1914 and was part of 168 Brigade, 56th (1st London) Division.He probably arrived in his Unit to take part in Operations on Cambrai Front at The capture of Tadpole Copse (21 Nov 1917), Bourlon Wood (23 – 28 Nov) and the German counter attacks (30 Nov – 2 Dec). In 1918 the Division were at the Battle of Arras (28 Mar), Albert (23 Aug). It was in this last action that Frederick was killed in action on 23 Aug 1918.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 11s 8d was paid to his mother.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
