Name
Frederick James Riddell
1876
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/08/1915
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Bedfordshire Regiment
9th Bn.
'D' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 54 and 218.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial
Pre War
Frederick James Riddell was born in Aston Manor, Birmingham in 1876 to Frederick George Riddell, commercial traveller, and Charlotte (nee Hyde).
On the 1881 Census the family of parents, Frederick J, Charles (born 1881) were living at 7, Tower Road, Aston, Birmingham. The family had visitors Joseph and Maryann Hyde.
On the 1891 the family of parents, Frederick (solicitor’s clerk) were living at 110, City Road, Bristol, Somerset.
Frederick J served with 48 (North Somerset) Company 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa (2nd Boer War) from 1900-1901 in the rank of Serjeant 2452.
On the 1901 Census his parents were living at 24 Upper Belmont Road, Bristol.
Frederick J married Clara Elizabeth Turner (a widow, nee Groom) on 6 Aug 1910 at St George’s Church, Camberwell, London.
On the 1911 Census Frederick, Clara and stepson Charles Eric Turner (born 1900) were living at 29, Blyth Hill, Catford, Surrey with Alice Coshen (born 1892, domestic servant).There would be a further son Edward Frederick Liddell (born 24 May 1911).
The family lived at 19 Baldock Road, Letchworth. His widow later lived at 38, Ramsden Rd., Balham, London. Member of Rifle Club. & Special constable (sub leader).
Wartime Service
No Service record was found for Frederick, he was commissioned as Lieutenant in the 9th (Reserve) Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment but was attached to 1st/4th Battalion Essex Regiment as part of the Territorial Battalions of 161 (Essex) Brigade, 54 (East Anglian) Division.
The division were ordered to Gallipoli and left for Mudros on 30 Jul 1915 aboard Transport ‘Royal Edward’ ship. Approaching the Island of Lemnos (Mudros Harbour) the ship was torpedoed by a german submarine and quickly sank with great loss of life. The ship had been carrying around 1400 Men of whom over 900 were drowned. Frederick was one who died that day 13 Aug 1915. They are remembered by a special plaque on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 and arrears of 45 1s 0d was paid to his widow, also received probate of £582 8s 6d. An Army allowance of 24 per annum was made in respect of son Edward Frederick.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
