Name
Valentine Thomas Flanders
14 Feb 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/04/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
14163
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial
Pre War
Valentine Thomas Flanders was born on 14 Feb 1893 to Edward Flanders, mariner, and Sarah Ann (nee Docking).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Agnes (born 1879), Emma (born 1885), Edward (born 1887), Ellen (born 1888) and Robert (born 1891) were living at Goat Yard, South Lynn Plain, Kings Lynn.
His mother died in 1897.
On the 1901 Census Valentine is registered in the Union Workhouse, Extons Road, Kings Lynn with his siblings, Edward, Ellen, Robert and Walter (born 1895).
His father died in 1913.
On the 1911 Census Valentine was an errand boy for a chemist and was living with his elder sister Ellen and brother Walter (errand boy for jeweller) at Hollington Square, Kings Lynn.
Lived at 2 Ridge Road, Letchworth with his sister Agnes who was married to Herbert Large.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Valentine who was enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 14163.
He went to France joining the 1st Battalion, part of 15 Brigade, 5th Division, in the field. At some time he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In 1916 the battalion took part in the Battles of the Somme at High Wood (20-25 July), Guillemont (306 Sep), Flers-Courcelette (15-22 Sep) and morval (25-28 Sep). In Oct 1916 they were moved to the Festubert area until in Mar 1917 they were moved to the Arras sector taking part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9-14 April) under the Canadian Corps. Valentine was killed in this action on 12 April 1917. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 and arrears of £3 4s 3d was paid to his sister Mrs Agnes Large.
Brother of Walter William Flanders, Private 2426, Herts Regiment Killed in action 19 Nov 1914.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
