Name
Frederick Coughtrey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/02/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
23540
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial,
Watford, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial,
Watford, Watford Printers Memorial, Watford,
Not on the Tring memorials
Pre War
Son of Herbert George and Ellen (nee DRAKE) COUGHTREY.
His parents married 1892 in the Berkhamsted, Herts, district. Herbert died 1934 in Watford aged 73, and was buried 1 November in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Ellen died 15 August 1946 in Watford aged 82, and was buried 20 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Fred was born 22 August 1893 in Tring, Herts, and baptised 2 July 1899 at Sts Peter and Paul, Tring. He attended first New Mill JMI School, Tring, from 31 August 1896 to 4 September 1899; then Victoria Infants’ School, Watford; finally Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 5 March 1900 to 31 July 1907. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a printer’s boy aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Ampthill, Beds; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action at Arras in the front line north of the River Ancre.
Additional Information
There are articles about Frederick in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 10 March 1917 and 17 March 1917.
His brother George died 26 February 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Unfortunately, Frederick’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
