No.26674, Private, Frederick MURFET
Aged 25
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Frederick Murfet was born in Fordham on 10th January 1891,(Newmarket Q1-1891 3B:551), baptised in Soham on 5th April 1891, son of Alfred and Mary MURFET
(née STITTLE) of Thorn Street, Soham.
1891 census...Aged 3 months, he was at Collins Hill, Fordham with his father Alfred MURFET [36] coal merchant, born Soham: his mother Mary [38] born Soham; sisters Adelaide [10], Ethel [4] and Kate [2]; brothers Albert [8] and Burton [7]. All the children were born in Fordham. 1901 census...In this census they are "Murfit". Aged 10, he was at Thorn Street, Soham with his parents (father now a farm labourer); brothers Albert , saddler's apprentice, Burton, farm labourer, William, farm labourer and Arthur [9] all born Fordham; twin brothers [7] Walter and John born Soham and Robert, born Soham; sister Ethel born Fordham. 1911 census...Apparently the Fred Murfett [20](farm worker), boarding at Station Road, Fordham with George and Elizabeth SNARE. Brother Arthur a farm labourer was boarding with John and Maria PAYNE at 17 Crosby's Row, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire. His parents, the twins Walter and John, and Robert were at Townsend, Soham. His brothers Arthur and Walter died in the war . None of the three brothers has an identified grave. Arthur Murfet died of his wounds on 21st October 1917 see here and Walter Murfet was killed on 1st July 1916 see here |
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He enlisted in Newmarket.
The battalion were in Englebelmer Wood area which although a Field Ambulance station was shelled on occasion. It was close enough to the fighting at Beaumont Hamel to attract to odd barrage. The battalion war diary says:- Very cold night. Quiet early, but continual ? soon started. Heavy about 8:30. The Btn relieved by the 16th K.R.R. with exception of "D" Coy., and 30 others. Not complete until about 10 pm. Moved back to Pioneer Road. CWGC records 20 of the 14th Hampshires killed.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
