Military History

Frederick is listed as being killed in action on 1st September 1918. He was originally buried at Map Ref 62c.C.27.c.7.7 (click here to plot the location) before his remains were moved to their current location in October 2020. The 1st/3rd Battalion war diary entries for the period 31st August to 2nd September are transcribed below.

Bromfray Farm – 31 Aug 1918: The Battalion carried out Lewis Gun training in the morning.

Hem Wood - 1 Sep 1918: The Battalion embussed at 9pm on the 31^st at Bromfray Farm – F.29.c.6.3 (Sheet 62D NE) and proceeded along the Albert-Peronne Road to Hem Wood H.3.a (Sheet 62C NE) where it de-bussed and marched to a point of assembly at C.14.c. Transport remained at B.26.c.8.7.

At 5.35am the battalion attacked the village of Bouchavesnes supported by a rolling barrage of field and heavy guns.

Disposition: C Coy on left front; A Coy of right front; B Coy left support & D Coy right support.

The objective was the line running from Jupiter Trench C.10.c.5.9 along track running SE to German Wood Trench C.10.d.6.0.

The 2/4^th Bn attacked on our right and the 47^th Div on the left. The 2/2^nd Battn were in support.

The attack was quite successful & objectives reached about 8am. Considerable opposition was encountered from Machine Gun posts and hostile shelling was heavy.

About 200 prisoners were taken and a large number of M Guns.

Casualties: Lt Ambach; Capt L.J. Knight MC; 2/Lt Gunn, 2/Lt MA Rosenkrantz, 2/Lt Felmingham.

Battn HQ at C.19.d.6.3 afterwards moved to C.15.d.4.9.

The enemy shelled the captured positions and back areas very heavily during the day. Weather was showering.

Bouchavesnes - 2 Sep 1918: At 1asm the line was taken over by a Brigade of the 47^th Division but owing to the difficulties of communication with the Coys the relief was not completed until 4pm.

The Battn moved back to rest at B.22.a.5.4 in dugouts and bivouacs. Battalion surplus returned at 4.30pm.

Lt. Col J.A. Pollack took over command of the Battn.