Name
Frederick William Purton
23 March 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/04/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Pioneer
147225
Royal Engineers
5th Bn. Special Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY
Plot C. Row 3. Grave 14.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Little Gaddesden Village Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Little Gaddesden, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour (2018 Revision), Little Gaddesden, Not on the Berkhamsted memorials
Pre War
Frederick Wilfred Purton was born on 23 March 1895 in Little Gaddesden, Herts, the son of Heber and Elizabeth Purton and one of six children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 5 Hudnall Farm, Little Gaddesden, where his father was working as a coachman domestic. They remained there in 1911 at which time 16 year old Frederick was working as a dairy lad.
Wartime Service
Frederick enlisted in Hertford. initially joining the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment but later was transferred to the 5th Mortar Battalion, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers Pioneers.
He died, aged 21, from burns and shock on 25 April 1916 following an accident and is buried in Calais Southern Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £7 and pay owing of £9 7s 2d. Pension cards exist with his mother listed as dependent but give no indication of any amount of pension which may have been received.
He is also commemorated in his sister's grave at Little Gaddesden.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, hemelatwar.org., littlegaddesdenchurch.org.uk
