Name
James Frost
28 February 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/05/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Driver
T4/211873
Army Service Corps
Horse Transport, 108 Company, 22nd Division
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BISHOP'S HATFIELD (ST. LUKE) CHURCHYARD
West 17.78
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No personal inscription
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Not on the Bishops Hatfield memorials
Pre War
James Frost was born on 28 February 1886 in Hatfield, Herts, son of James Frost (a Groom) (b 1867 in London Colney, Herts) and Ellen Alice Frost (nee Keable) (b 1866 in Harleston, Norfolk). He started school in August 1890 at the Hatfield C of E School, transferring to the Boys school in July 1893.
1891 Census records James aged 5, living with his parents and sister Annie 2, in Halls Yard, Park Street, Hatfield.
His father James died in 1899, in Hatfield aged 32 years.
By 1901 15 year old James had left school and was working as a Groom, living with his widowed mother, sister Annie 12, brothers George 9, and John 6, in Halls Yard, Park Street, Hatfield. James was now working as a groom. And his mother as a kitchen woman.
In 1904 James's mother Ellen married Frank Thomas, a Carter (Driver of horse drawn vehicles).
1911 Census records James aged 25, working as a Groom, living with his mother, stepfather Frank Thomas and brother John 16, in Chapel Yard, Park Street, Hatfield. His mother was now a caretaker of the Park Street Chapel. James was still a groom at livery stables.
His mother later lived at Arm & Sword Yard, Hatfield. (according to pension records).
James signed up 26th October 1915 for the duration of the war in Stratford, East London; he was of good physical development and deemed fit for service. He was living at Arm and Sword Yard, Hatfield.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and was living there when he enlisted in Stratford, East London.
Wartime Service
Having enlisted, he initially joined 3/1 HQ Depot Co, 6th Anglian Division T2647. Served as Groom to Officer and described as "Excellent man with horses". He embarked on the 'Nile' from Devonport to Salonika in August 1916,
diagnosed with phthisis (tuberculosis) on 15th December 1916 and was sent to Malta (hospital) 21st December 1916 and then invalided to England 12th January 1917.
James was issued with a new number T4/ 211873 when the Service Numbers were standardised.
He died at the Royal Victoria Hospital Netley, near Southampton on the 14th May 1917 and was buried on 23 May 1917, in St Luke's Churchyard, Hatfield.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of December 1915, in the 16th list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “James Frost – Arm & Sword Yard – A.S.C.” and then in June 1917: “Died in Hospital – James Frost – A.S.C.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 1st June 1918, reported: “Mrs Thomas’ eldest son, James (Frost) died last November in Netley Hospital from illness contracted with the Forces in Salonica.”
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £6 10s and pay owing of £10 9s. Pension records exist in respect of James and his brother John but there is no indication of the amount of pension paid.
His brother Private 265556, John Charles Frost of the Hertfordshire Regiment died of wounds received in action on 17 April 1918. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Frank Thomas (Mother) of Park Street, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
