Military History

Frederick is listed as being killed in action on 30 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai with a brief newspaper report stating that he was killed by a sniper whilst sending signals. The 15th Brigade war diary entries for the period 29th November to 1st December 1917 are transcribed below.

L.36.c.8.8 - 29 Nov 1917: Quiet days, much movement observed near Revelon Chau[teau].

L.36.c.8.8 - 30 Nov 1917: Commencing at 2am and lasting until 7am, the enemy shelled R 5 very heavily, this was communicated to 29 D H [Division HQ?] and the GOC 86^th Inf Bde.

At 8am the enemy attacked from Villers Guislains to Hasntiemes? the Brigade fired a slow barrage (no SOS was sent up from out front)

About 9.30am large quantities of infantry were seen retiring over the Lateau Wood crest on towards the guns. This general retirement continued for ¾ hour. Major Eden was ordered to go out and stem the tide if possible and 29^th Division were informed of the situation.

At about 10.15am the last of the infantry passed through the guns. About this time the GOC 86^th Brigade Fyasniemes? reported that a gap had been formed on his right by the retreat of the 20^th Division. The 15^th Brigade R H A then fired a barrage to cover the canal crossings at Creve Coeur.

At 10.45am the enemy were seen advancing on our guns who fired “point blank” at them

About 11.am the batteries (taking breech blocks and sights) were forced to abandoned the guns which were promptly captured by the enemy. About 10 minutes later the Brigade HQ was forced to evacuate from R.10.a.3.6 and withdrew to the Hindenburg Line which was then held by the 20^th Division.

The Brigade Commander (Lt Col E.N. Burns DSO?) made vigorous efforts to urge the Infantry to re-capture our guns, or at least push out on to the crest  beyond R.10.A.36, thus ? the guns. Only a platoon volunteered and, accompanied by the Colonel & Adjt this party held the forward slopes of the hill for about an hour. During this period our Bde HQ was re-occupied and all papers either saved or burned.

At about 3pm the Bde Commander decided to report to the 29^th Division at Quentin Hill as there seemed no prospect of our guns being re-captured that day.

Unfortunately events had been moving rapidly in our rear. At about 9.30am the enemy occupied Gouzeaucourt Quarry (Bde HQ Wagon Line). RSM B?, Cpl; Sykes RE, Gnr Holyoak, Driver Heywood, Gnr Pullis, Gnr Newman, Driver Lennon, Gnr Bird were captured, of them the following escaped RSM B? (wounded) and Gnr Bird (killed)

As soon as the enemy withdrew, Major J.C. Stewart (OC Bde Col) retired with the remaining personnel to the Wagon Line. 29^th Div HQ at Quentin Hill was captured – Brigadier General E.H. Stevenson DSO R.A. was wounded when prisoner and finally he as re-captured by us. Maj Gen Sir Beauvoir Delisle escaped with his Brigade Major and established his HQ at Ribecourt.

The enemy were driven out of Gouzeaucourt at about 4pm. The Brigade gradually re-assembled at the Wagon Lines outside Fins and the following casualties were reported as a result of the days operation:

Killed 1 Sgt and 4 OR’s. Wounded 3 Officers and 26 OR’s. Missing 1 Officer & 2 Sgts.

Fins – 1 Dec 1917: Brigade reformed in Wagon Lines on Fins-Gouzeaucourt road. Reinforced 17^th Bde & supplied them with ammunition.