No.36942, Lance Corporal, Frederick RADFORD
Aged 34
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Frederick Radford was born in Dalham in 1883, (Newmarket Q4-1883 3B:543) , son of William and Eliza RADFORD (née SPARKS ?), of Dalham. The surname varies from Radford to Ratford, even Ratfer. CWGC and "Soldier Died" have Ratford. Here we have stayed with RADFORD 1891 census...Aged 6, he was at 14 The Street, Dalham, with his stepfather John BELVERSTONE [67] carrier, born Chevington; his mother Eliza [48] born Lidgate and brothers Robert RADFORD [17] a farm labourer, and Joe RADFORD [8] both born in Dalham. His father was William RADFORD who died in 1884 aged 64. 1901 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was still at The Street, Dalham with his stepfather (now a marine stone dealer) and mother, and brothers Henry RADFORD [28] gamekeeper, Robert, farm labourer and Joe, shepherd. In Q4-1908 (Newmarket 3B:1177) he married Ruth May EVERETT. 1911 census...Aged 27, he was at Ashley with his wife Ruth May [29] born Ashley and their son Victor Frederick [2] and daughter Ethel May [1] both born in Ashley. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. He has a headstone at Duisans Cemetery but is on record on the Arras Memorial which suggests his body/grave was eventually identified and the Arras inscription will be/has been removed. Until I learn more about these 4th Infantry Labour Companies (other regiments seem to have had them) there is no way of saying where Frederick was killed. From the CWGC figures it seems the Hampshire regiment were quiet that week, their deaths being isolated and scattered around the world. Duisans/Etrun is just outside Arras, N.West on the N25. The 1917 battle of Arras was 9th April to 4th May. |
photo: Rodney Gibson photo: Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details