Name
Frederick (Ted) Titmuss
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
202187
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)
A.C. Co. (possibly Army Cyclist Corps), 1st
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Pirton School Memorial - see text
Biography
There are two Frederick Titmuss' listed on the School War Memorial, which confirms that two went to the school, but evidence seems to suggest that three Frederick Titmusses served.
It is believed that this Frederick, or Ted as he was known, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Frank Titmuss, who ran the Blacksmith’s Arms in the High Street. The parish and census records confirm his birth date as May 18th 1889, and his parents as Frank and Elizabeth Titmuss (probably Emily Elizabeth, née Chamberlain). He would have been twenty-five at the outbreak of war. In all it would appear that two brothers served and survived - refer to Charles Titmuss (2) for more family details.
By 1911 Frederick was twenty-one, living with his parents in or near the Blacksmith’s Arms - opposite the Blacksmith’s Pond. Frederick was earning a living as a domestic gardener. His sister Clara was also living in the family home but was married to John Burton. John also served and survived.
The North Herts Mail of April 19th 1917 confirms some of the above, and adds that he had been in France since July 1916 but was in Birkenhead Hospital with slight wound to his left arm. He was then reported in the Hertfordshire Express of April 21st 1917, and that report confirms his rank, injury and where he was serving, but states his Regiment as the Sherwood Foresters.
By 1918 he was recorded as Lance Corporal 202187, A.C. Co. (possibly Army Cyclist Corps), 1st Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (also known as the Sherwood Foresters), with his home address the same as his brother Charles at the Blacksmith’s Arms.
A memorial inscription in St. Mary’s churchyard confirms that he married Ruth and that he was a father. Frederick died on October 14th 1956, aged seventy, and Ruth on August 23rd 1988 aged ninety-nine.
Acknowledgments
Text from the book ‘The Pride of Pirton’ by Jonty Wild, Tony French & Chris Ryan used with author's permission
