No.260016, Lance Corporal, Frederick SNELL
Aged 29
|
Born in 1888 (1st qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:727) son of Robert and Sarah SNELL (née COCKSEDGE)
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at 46 Raingate Street with his father Robert SNELL [39] Labourer born Bradfield St.George; his mother Sarah [39] born Rougham; sisters Alice [18]and Kate [17]. both born Bradfield St.George, Mary Ann [16] born Derbyshire, Agnes [12] born Bradfield St.George and Ellen [4] born Bury St.Edmunds; brothers John [13] born Bradfield St.George, Harry [9], William [6] and Charles [3 months) all born Bury St.Edmunds. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was still at 46 Raingate Street with his parents, sister Agnes; brother John (farm labourer), Charles; cousin George [9] born Bury St.Edmunds He married Ethel May WELLS [8-5-1890] in Bury St.Edmunds in 1907. Apparently his father died in 1st qtr 1909 and his mother married Philip POTTER later that year. 1911 census...Aged 23, a bricklayer's labourer, he was at 1 Baker's Yard, Long Brackland, Bury St.Edmunds with his wife Edith May [20] and their three sons, Oliver Frederick [12-1-1908], Percy Robert [13-8-1909] and Victor George [23-12-1910]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds Living at 11 Church Road, Bury St.Edmunds, they went to have three more children, Doris May [24-1-1912], Ethel Eveleyn [1-1-1916 and John Edward 1-2-1918.] His cousin George SNELL died of wounds in 1917 see here |
|
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Not a typo,the Gloucesters, along amongst British Regiments, have the right to wear their badge on the front and back of their
cap. This stems from during the fighting in Alexandria in 1801 when they fought in two ranks, back to back. When the Glosters became the Royal Glos, Berks
and Wilts Regt and then the Rifles, the tradition was passed on, the Glosters badge (in the wreath) being retained as the back badge
As the Chaplain's letter states he was wounded on the 23rd, we should be able to see where his battalion were, but the war diary simply says "In front line near Locon". Locon is 5 miles north of Bethune.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
