Name
Frederick Hipgrave
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/04/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/7005
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, We are not aware of any memorials in Roe Green
Pre War
Frederick was the son of Henry (Harry) and Elizabeth Hipgrave, born in Hatfield (quite likely to be more accurately Roe Green) about 1886.
In the 1901 Census Frederick (Freddy), was aged 15 and living with his family, parents and siblings: Harry, Frank, Elizabeth and Charlotte, in 1 Roe Green Cottages, Hatfield. Frederick and his father were working as farm labourers.
His father died in 1904.
By 1911 Frederick, his widowed mother and sister Charlotte were living in Roe Green with mother now a widow, and sister. Frederick was working as a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother was washing and charring and Charlotte a day girl domestic.
Officially recorded living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Frederick became Private 4/7005, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire, Battalion and went to France on 27th December 1914, suggesting that he was already serving otr was a Territiorial.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914, in the first list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Hipgrave, Frederick, Roe Green, 3rd Beds.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 18th August 1917, reported on about eight members of the Hipgrave family: "Mrs Hipgrave, 1 Green ……? Cottages. Roe Green, Hatfield, contributed five sons and three grandsons to the Great War and furnishes a striking illustration of how international warfare lays its heavy tribute on peaceful village homes. The patriotism of the brave Hatfield sons is succinctly unfolded in the following brief explanation.
1) Private John Hipgrave, single, resided at Hatfield Hyde. Joined August 1914, went to France November 1914, killed December 1914 aged 42. Served through the South African War in Coldstream Guards.
2) Private George Hipgrave married. Joined early 1915, was wounded in France April 1915, now in Egypt aged 40. Lived in Roe Green before enlisting.
3) Private William Hipgrave – Beds Regiment. Single, joined August 1914, went to France April 1915. Twice wounded, went to Egypt January 1916. Killed July 1917, aged 37. Lived Roe Green, served through the South African War.
4) Private Fred Hipgrave – Beds Regiment. Single, joined August 1914. Went to France Dec 1914. Killed April 1915 aged 29. Lived Roe Green.
5) Corporal Frank Hipgrave – 1st Border Regiment. Single. When war broke out he was in India with Regiment Had served for ten years. Came home, went to the Dardanelles, wounded, next went to France and again wounded. Now discharged through wounds aged 29. Lives at Roe Green.
6) G Hipgrave – on a destroyer aged 16.
7) Private Charles Payne – 1st Herts. Regiment. Joined early 1916. Killed in action in France Nov 1916 aged 21. Lived at Wymondley near Stevenage.
8) Private John Wilmot – Herts. Regiment. Served before war broke out. Went to France Nov. 1914.
Has had two leaves from the Front and still out with the Herts. Regiment – aged 21.
Now all that is left to the bereaved parent is the memory of deeds bravely done, lives given to King and Country and a few letters from co-patriots. A Company Sergeant-Major writes of one of the sons hit by a stray bullet behind the lines when returning to bivouac and killed instantly. A company quarter-master sergeant quotes ‘it is with great regret that I write to inform you of your son’s death, Private Hipgrave, on the night of the 27th. He had taken part in a night raid on the enemy trenches and had practically reached our bivouac when he was hit in the head by a stray bullet, his death was instantaneous. I beg to sympathise with you in your loss and the only consolation I can offer you is that he died in the cause of his country. Always willing to help his comrades and cheerful, he performed his duties well, and in the face of great odds he always carried them out to the letter. His death is greatly lamented by all the officers, NCOs and men of the company who realised to the full his great worth. By his example many of the men have improved the ways of work and, writing as NCO, it was always a pleasure to have such a man to work under one, who acted as a stimulus to the remainder by example and precept.’
Capt H G Armstrong, QC, also wrote August 1st 1917
Dear Mrs Hipgrave,
I am writing to say how much I sympathise with you in the sad loss of your son, Private W Hipgrave. He was killed on the night of July 27th. He was an excellent soldier, a most willing worker, and his loss will be greatly felt by all. Once again let me express my most sincere sympathies.’"
William was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Brother of John & William Hipgrave who were both killed.
Frederick was the youngest (aged 29) of the three brothers to have been killed in the war.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hipgrave (Mother) of Greenfoot Cottages, Roe Green, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
