Name
Fred Saunders Ruffhead
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/10/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
200714
York and Lancaster Regiment
1st/4th (Hallamshire T F) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 125 to 128.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Northchurch memorials
Pre War
Fred Saunders Ruffhead was born in Sheffield 1895 to John E Ruffhead, an Elementary School teacher and Emily (nee Saunders). Emily had been born and lived in Northchurch, Herts, prior to being married.
In 1911 Fred was working as a learner in Photographic & Artists Business in Ecclesall Sheffield.
Wartime Service
Fred enlisted on 23 Sep 1914 in Sheffield as Private 2483 in the 4th ( Hallamshire) Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He gave his address as 130 Walkley Lane Sheffield.
The Battalion, a Territorial Force unit, went to France on 13 Apr 1915. Fred was promoted to Lance Corporal (date not decipherable) and also acquired a new Serial Number (200714).
He was wounded on 27 Aug 1914 but there are no details of injury. Fred was treated for Jaundice in Sep 1915 and Otitis in Dec 1915. He was gassed 27 Jul 1917 and treated at Boulogne and returned to duty 10 Aug 1917 after passing through the Base depot at Etaples.
He was killed in action at Poelcapelle (part of the latter stages of the Battle of Paschendaele) on 9 Oct 1917. His remains were not recovered and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Ypres.
His name also appears on his mother’s gravestone in the New Road Cemetery.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £13 10s. and arrears of £14 9s. 3d paid to Father. whose address was Sunnyside, Canadia Rd., Battle, Sussex.
Fred is also commemorated on his family’s grave in Northchurch (St. Mary) New Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF L CPL F. S. RUFFHEAD 1/4 YORK AND LANCS REGT.
ONLY SON OF THE ABOVE (J E and Emily Ruffhead) KILLED IN ACTION OCT. 9TH 1917, AGED 22 YEARS.
ONLY SON OF THE ABOVE (J E and Emily Ruffhead) KILLED IN ACTION OCT. 9TH 1917, AGED 22 YEARS.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/first-world-war-database
