Name
Frederick George Sheppard
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/03/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31533
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
55th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GORRE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY
V1.E.13
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1894 in Hitchin and his parents were John and Annie Sophia Sheppard.
In 1901 the family were living at 51 Eva Road, Birmingham. Present were both parents: John (39) and Annie (38), with John and working as a plumber. Their children were: Annie Sophie (13) and Frederick George (6).
By 1911 the family were living at 5 Park Road West, Luton. Present were both parents, John still working as a plumber, and Annie as a straw hat machinist. The census recorded they had been married for 26 years with 6 children, 3 of whom had died. Their daughter was still present but had been married for 3 years and was now Annie Sophia Brown (23) with one daughter Florence Irene Brown (2) who was also present. Frederik was still at home, now 16 and was working as a straw hat packer in a warehouse. They now had another sibling Florence Eva (9).
Frederick enlisted in Ampthill on 22 November 1915. His service records give his home address as 287 High Town Road, Luton, Beds. He was 21 years and 6 months old and working as a straw hat blocker. His mother was given as his next of kin, living at 287 High Town Road, Luton, Beds. He was described as 5’ 9 ¾” tall with a 35 ½” chest when fully expanded and 138 lbs.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and was living in Luton, Beds. when he enlisted in Ampthill.
Wartime Service
He was posted as 23497 in the Bedfordshire Regiment on the day of his enlistment (22 November 1915) and then to the Machine Gun Corps on 12 April 1916, which may be when his service number changed to 31533. While in the UK training he received 3 days confined to barracks for being late turning out for physical training parade on 2 May 1916.
Frederick, left Folkestone on 19 June 1916, arriving in Boulogne the same day. He joined the Base Depot at Camiers on the 11th. By the 22nd he was recorded at the General Hospital, the reason is not known. He was sent to the Convalescent Depot, also in Etaples, on 1 July and then discharged to duty on the 3rd.
He joined 48 Company on 26 July 1916 and was wounded the same day. There are more entries, but they are too faint to read
He joined 165 Company in the field on 17 October 1917, yet received leave to the UK on 18 November, returning on 30 November 1917. By the time he was killed in action he was with 55 Battalion.
Additional Information
After his death £8 17s 11d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, John, on 26 July 1918, but there had already been a recharge of 7s 4d. Later, a war gratuity of £10 was authorised to be paid to him on 3 December 1919.
On the 29 July 1918 it was recorded that any personal property should be sent to Frederick’s mother.
His pension cards record Mrs Annie Sophia Sheppard as his mother and dependant, living at 287 High Town Road, Seeton, Luton, Beds. She was awarded a pension of 4s 6d a week from 8 October 1918. Later details seem to have been =changed tohis father, John, 231 High Town Road, Luton, Beds.
His father submitted a statement of the names and address of Frederick’s living relatives on 14 July 1919. That listed the following: His parents were John and Annie Sophia Sheppard of 287 High Town Road, Luton, Beds. no brothers, but his sisters were Annie Sophie Brown (32) and Florence Eva Sheppard (18).
His memorials scroll was issued on 18 September 1920.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Lindsay Jennings
