Name
Frederick Biffen
1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/08/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
322643
London Regiment (City of London Rifles) *1
1st/6th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
10
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Royston Town War Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1898 in Royston, Herts. and christened on 8 May 1898 in Royston. His parents were Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Biffen.
In 1901 the family were living at Mill Road, Royston. Present were both parents: Thomas (44) and Elizabeth (43), with Thomas working for himself as a grocer & off licence beer seller. Their children were: William (17), Harriett (15), Maud (10) and Frederick (3). A visitor was also present, Herbert Ripsher (37).
By 1911 the family had moved to 108 Whinbush Road, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, Thomas now working as a debt collector and canvasser for paper bags and printing. Of the above children only Frederick was present. There was also a boarder Florence Maud Arler (25) present.
Sadly, is mother died on the 30th August 1911, aged 64.
Wartime Service
Frederick served with the 1st/6th London Regiment, a Territorial Army unit which was part of the 174th Brigade in the 58th (2/1st London) Division. He served in France from 11 March 1917 to 29 August 1918.
Fred was killed in operations near the village of Sailly-Laurette on the 29th August 1918.
His body was not recovered from the battlefield and he his name is recorded on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial.
Additional Information
His pension cards record Thomas Thackeray Biffen as his father and as his next of kin, living at 10 Ravenscourt Gardens, Hammersmith, London. It also records their children as (b ) and (b ).She/He was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 6 November 1918.
His pension cards suggest he was with the 1/13th London Regiment, but that is at odds with all records found.
*1 More correctly London Regiment (Rifles).
Frederick is also commemorated on his parents' (Mary and Thomas Biffen) headstone in Hitchin Cemetery. His inscription reads:
ALSO IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF
FREDERICK BIFFEN 1/13TH. LONDON REGT.
THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF THE ABOVE
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
August 29th 1918.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO HELP SAVE US
AGED 20 YEARS
FREDERICK BIFFEN 1/13TH. LONDON REGT.
THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF THE ABOVE
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
August 29th 1918.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO HELP SAVE US
AGED 20 YEARS
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Pam Frierley, Yolanda Hayes
