Name
Frederick Charles Worboys
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/09/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
39842
East Surrey Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RANCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY
A. 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
HE DIED A SOLDIER'S DEATH AND THROUGH THE TRENCHES FOUND HIS WAY TO HEAVEN
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Potters Bar memorials
Pre War
Frederick Charles Warboys was born in 1898 in Potters Bar to James Warboys, a shepherd, and Harriet Jane (nee Martin).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Frances (born 1890), Elizabeth (born 1892), James (born 1894), George (born 1897) and Frederick (born 1899) were living at Whepley Hill, Chesham, Amersham, Bucks.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, James (labourer), George (shop Boy), Frederick, Maude (born 1903) and Lily (born 1905 were living in Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Beds.
The family fluctuates from Warboys to Worboys on records found.
Wartime Service
Fredrick was deemed to have enlisted on 2 Mar 1916, he was not called forward until 30 Mar 1917 and was posted 23 Training Battalion at St Albans as Private 10451. On 9 Sep 1917 he was posted to 255 Infantry Training Battalion. Frederick was ppsted to 22 Graduated Battalion, Royal West Surrey Training Reserve on 1 Dec 1917 He went to France to join the British Expeditionary Force on 1 Apr 1918 being posted to 12 (Service) Battalion East Surrey Regiment as Private G/39842.
On 8 Aug 1918 he was posted to 1/21st (County of London) Battalion (First Surrey Rifles). The 1/21st were a unit of 142 Brigade, $7th (2nd London) Division (a wholly Territorial Force Division). They were engaged in the 2nd Battle of Bapaume (31 Aug -3 Sep 1918) and it was during this action on 1 Sep 1918 Frederick was reported killed in action or died from wounds. This usually means that his remains have not been recovered however he is buried in Rancourt Cemetery.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 and arrears of £4 15s 1d was paid to his mother. She ordered his headstone inscription while living at High Street North, Dunstable, Beds, in reads "HE DIED A SOLDIER'S DEATH AND THROUGH THE TRENCHES FOUND HIS WAY TO HEAVEN".
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
