Name
Frederick Molyneux
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
4367
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
25th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France
UK & Other Memorials
St John the Baptist Church Memorial, Aldenham, St John the Baptist Church Roll of Honour, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath Village Memorials, Not on the Elstree memorials, Wickham Village War Memorial, Hants.
Pre War
Frederick Molyneux was born in 1896, in Wickham, Hampshire, son of Nathaniel (Nath) and Mary (nee Threlfall) Molyneux, one of nine children, 6 Brothers 2 Daughters and one having died in infancy. The 1901 Census records Frederick aged 4, living with his parents, and his seven siblings at, The Gardens, Rookesbury, Wickham, Hampshire. His father’s occupation is given as a Gardener. The 1911 Census records him aged 15, at school, living with his parents, and five siblings at, Rookesbury Park, Wickham, Hants.
It is not known when Frederick moved to Hertfordshire, but the SDITGW record him as living in Elstree when he enlisted.
Wartime Service
Frederick enlisted at Watford, posted to the Hampshire Regiment with the service number 18443. He was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, with the service number 4367.
He is recorded as a Lance Corporal in 25 Battalion MGC in 25 Division. This unit had been formed from 7, 74 ,75 and 195 MG Coys of 25 Division in Mar 1918. As Frederick’s service number was quite low he may have been an early member of the Machine Gun Corps on its formation but this cannot be confirmed due there no service record being found. 25 Division was involved during battle of St Quentin during the German Spring Offensive of 1918.
Frederick was reported missing, and his death was accepted as 22nd March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France, to the missing.
Additional Information
SDITGW- Have his date of death as 26th March 1918. His brother, Rifleman S/10945 James Molyneux, of the Rifle Brigade, also fell in the Great War. (24th May 1916).
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
