South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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2nd Lieutenant Frederick Charles VINCENT DCM - 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps
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| Military History |
Theatre
France & Flanders
Action/Battle/Other
German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael)
Place of Death
near Benay/Montescourt
Medals
DCM, 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals
Medal Citation (if app)
Great War Forum
"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He organised a bombing party under very heavy fire, & led them with great courage & determination. When his supply of bombs ran short he kept the enemy at bay with rapid fire. Later he organised parties to collect the wounded." (London Gazette 14.11.16)
Enlisted Date/Place
5 Sep 1915 at Rugby
Commonwealth War Graves Page
SWFHS War Memorial(s)
Bubbenhall & Walsgrave on Sowe
Other War Memorial(s)
Previous Regiments/Units
Sgt R/2038 King's Royal Rifle Corps. Commissioned to 2nd Lt on 27 May 1917
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
Frederick was killed on the first day of the massive German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) which began at 4.45am with a huge artillery barrage which lasted 5 hours. The barrage destroyed all lines of communications between the trenches at Benay and Brigade HQ at Montescourt. The barrage was followed by an attack of overwhelming numbers which overran and/or surrounded many trench positions and forced the Brigade HQ back to Montescourt Railway Bridge. When the fog (natural and barrage) lifted the enemy used aeroplanes to bomb and strafe the front lines. The whole situation was very confused and the allies were forced to retreat across the whole front and the 7th Battalion found themselves to the rear of Jussy where they spent the 22nd under fire from enemy attacks. The map below shows the places mentioned above. Frederick was declared missing and then killed on the 21st March.
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| Map of Benay area | Pozieres Memorial | Bablake School Memorial |
| Personal & Family History |
Birth Date & Place
Apr Qtr Foleshill
Baptism Date & Place
Parents
William Charles & Emily Laura
Walsgrave on Sowe
Wife & Marriage
~
Children
~
Occupation(s)
1911 - Draughtsman for Daimler Motor Cars
Schools & Colleges
Bablake School, Coventry
Address History
- 1901 - 1911 - Wolston (Parents)
- 1912 - Three Horse Shoes PH, Bubbenhall (Parents)
- 1914 - The Lodge, Walsgrave on Sowe (Parents)
Other Information
