No. 26657, Private, Frederick Charles MOSS
Aged 30
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Frederick Charles Moss was born in Chippenham in 1887 (Newmarket Q2-1887 3B:551) baptised in Chippenham on Whitsunday,29th May 1887. The son of Alfred and
Hannah MOSS (née COCKSEDGE).
1891 census...Aged 4 he was at Scotland End,Chippenham, with his father Alfred MOSS[39] agricultural labourer born Chippenham, his mother Hannah [36] born Badwell Ash; brother Walter [12] agricultural labourer, sister Charlotte [11], brothers Edward [9],William [8] Alfred [6], sister Ida [2] and grandfather Charls [78]. With the exception of his mother Hannah, they were all born in Chippenham. 1901 census...Aged 14, he was a garden labourer at 12 New Row,Chippenham with his parent; brother Edward, a rural postman, brother Alfred, agricultural labourer, sister Ida and new brothers Sidney [9] and Cecil [7] and sister Lillian [5], all three born in Chippenham. 1911 census...Aged 24, a gardener, he was still at 12 New Row, Chippenham with his parents, brothers Sidney (farm labourer) and Cecil a farm labourer. One of the ten children had died. His younger brother Cecil John was killed on the 1st day of the Somme, 1st July 1916 see here. On December 11th 1915, in Chippenham, he married Ethel Maud TAYLOR (18-1-1888). He was entered as Charles Frederick in most records from now on, including his military service. His pension card has his widow at New Street, Chippenham. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket.
From Lt.Col. Murphy's History of the Suffolk Regiment:- "After rehearsal in dummy trenches designed from aerial photographs, parties from 3 Brigades acted simultaneously on 9th August 1917. 350 men from the 7th Suffolks formed part of the 34th Brigade's strength. As soon as it was light the artillery began a bombardment of a belt of enemy trenches 2,000 yards long and 300 yards deep, continuing during daylight hours. The front line now was held very thinly, the bulk of the battalion being in caves in its own HQ line. At 7.45 pm patrols and raiders, accompanied by small demolition parties from the Royal Engineers, began moving forward under a creeping barrage, the 7th Suffolk heading for Bois du Vert and The MOUND. Prisoners began to trickle in. As soon as the German first line had been reached a box barrage was put down and the second line raided. The operation was a marked success and though casualties were heavy, much valuable information was obtained and great damage inflicted" 39 men were killed, only 10 have known graves. |
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