Name
Frederick Friend
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/09/1918
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
TF/290313
Royal Sussex Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VADENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, MAISSEMY
Plot III, Row A, Grave 46.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Post Office Memorial (*1), Sarratt Village Memorial, Holy Cross Church Memorial, Sarratt
Pre War
Fred was born 6 June 1884 in Sarratt, and baptised 5 April 1891 at Holy Cross, Sarratt. He was the son of the late John Jeremiah and Elizabeth Kezia(h) (nee HOSIER, otherwise CARTER) Friend.
His parents married 14 March 1875 at Holy Cross, Sarratt, Herts. John died 25 June 1897 in Sarratt aged 59, and was buried 27 June at Holy Cross; Elizabeth died 23 August 1901 in Sarratt aged 59, and was buried 27 August, also at Holy Cross.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 6, he lived in Sarratt, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, a grocer’s assistant aged 16, he still lived in Sarratt, with his widowed mother and one sibling - brother of Miss Emmeline Friend, of Sarratt Post Office, Rickmansworth.
On the 1911 Census, an assistant in the business, he still lived in Sarratt, with his two siblings. [this census sheet is hard to read].
Officially recorded as born in Sarratt and enlisted in Watford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
*1 He appears under the Sarrett section of the Watford Post Office memorial. His headstone inscription reads: “UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" There is a Death announcement for Fred in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 23 November 1918. Unfortunately, Fred’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
