Name
Frederick Hunt
1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/03/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
201172
Essex Regiment
1/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GAZA WAR CEMETERY
XXVI. C. 9.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin,
Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1892 in Hitchin and his parents were Thomas and Esther (sometimes Hester or Ester) (née Hall). They married in St Mary, Hitchin on 25 December 1883.
In 1891 the family were living at 16 Corries, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Thomas (36) and Esther (31), working as a plumber’s labourer. Their children were: Arthur (13), George (7), William (4) and Bertie (Bertram, 1).
In 1901 the family were living at 7 Davis’ Alley, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with Thomas now working as a plumber. Of the children listed above, Arthur was absent. They had a new sibling Frederick (9) and Lily (6).
By 1911 the family had moved to 53 Queen Street, Hitchin, as address used for all other records used here. Present were both parents, with Thomas – now recorded as Tom, working as a plumber’s labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 30 years with 6 children, all living. The children now listed were: George (28), William (24), Bert (21), Fred, now 19 and working as a shop boy for a grocer, Lily (17) and Violet (10).
Before enlistment he had previously worked for Messrs J. Gatward & Sons of Hitchin.
Officially Frederick was recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
Records show that Frederick was formerly Private, 3582, Essex Regiment and 20695, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He was posted to the l/4th Battalion of the Regiment with the Number 201172. The 4th Battalion of the Essex Regiment was in the 16 1st Brigade of the 54th Division. He was killed in action in Palestine after about two years of service in the army.
The date of his death coincides with the opening, in dense fog, of the Battle of Gaza. The 54th Division was in reserve that day but nevertheless was involved in the attacks and was shelled.
He was buried in Plot 26, Row C, Grave 9 in the Gaza War Cemetery in Israel.
Additional Information
The pension cards for Bertram and his brother, Frederick, share information, i.e. that their mother, Esther Hunt, living at 53 Queens Street, Hitchin, was their dependant. Bertram Hunt died 13 July 1917.
After his death £1 10s 3d was authorised to go to his mother, Esther, on 3 November 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £8 was authorised to be paid to her, on 21 November 1919.
Another brother, William, also served Salonika and had been hospitalised by illness.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
