Name
Frederick Hart
12/01/1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/11/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
37167
Essex Regiment
1st/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
L. 32.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
"GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE ALL MEET AGAIN"
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey,
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Frederick Hart was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, on 12th January 1892, son of William Hart a Paper Mill Worker and Emily Hollins Hart (nee Morris) of Watford Heath. His parents married 1875 at Dudley Registry Office, Staffs. (William died 1935 in the Watford district aged 83). One of 11 children three of which died in childhood.
Baptised on 4th May 1894, at St Matthews Church, Oxhey, Herts. With his younger brother Harry (Harry died in Q3 1894).
1901 Census records Frederick aged 9, living with his parents, brothers James 15, William 11, sisters Minnie 13, and Alice 5, at Hamper Mill Cottages, Watford, Herts.
1911 Census records Frederick aged 20 a Private in the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Stationed at Longmoor Camp, Longmoor, East Liss, Hampshire. It is not known exactly when he enlisted or left the Army.
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war, as an experienced soldier Frederick travelled to Bedford, Beds and enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment, posted to the 2nd Battalion, with the service number 9351. The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was stationed in Southampton having just returned from South Africa in September 1914, they were refitting for European Warfare.
Frederick now with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, they left Southampton on 5th October 1914, aboard the “S.S. Winifredian” stopping off in Dover for supplies, landing at Zeebrugge, Belgium, on the morning of 7th October 1914.
The Battalion first saw action on 18th October 1914, around the 10Km marker stone, on the Ypres- Menin Road.
It is not known when Frederick was transferred to the 1st/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment, with the new service number 37167.
Frederick was Killed in Action on Sunday 25th November 1917.
He is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel, and Palestine. The inscription
on his Headstone reads “God be with you till we all meet again”. (Requested by his father).
His elder brother Private 7324 William Hart of the East Surrey Regiment was killed in action on 21st July 1916.
His parents moved to 2 Garden Terrace, Watford Heath, Watford, after his death.
He is remembered with honour at Ramleh War Cemetery in Palestine.
And commemorated with his brother William Hart, on the memorial at St Matthew’s
Church, Oxhey.
Additional Information:
The 1st/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment saw action in Gallipoli. They were evacuated and moved to Mudros on the Greek Island of Lemnos on 4th December 1915.
They arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, on 17th December 1915, remaining in Egypt/Palestine throughout the remainder of the war.
Additional Information
His father, Mr. W. Hart, 2 Garden Terrace, Watford Heath, Watford, Herts, ordered his headstone inscription: "GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE ALL MEET AGAIN"
The value of his effects were £14-7s-11d, Pay Owing which went to his Father William and £20, War Gratuity which went to his mother Emily.
Son of William and Emily Hart, of 2, Garden Terrace, Watford Heath, Herts. Also see ‘Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk), Virginia and Jane (nee Hart)
