No.722966, Private, Fred WENHAM
Aged 25
|
Fred Wenham was born in Castle Camps in 1892 (Linton Q3-1892 3B:508), baptised in Castle Camps on 31st July 1892, son of Albert and Ellen WENHAM
(née HUMPHREY).
1901 census...Aged 8, he was at The Village, Castle Camps with his father Albert WENHAM [38] horsekeeper; his mother Ellen [37] born Helions Bumpstead; brothers Henry Thomas [10] and Herbert [2]; sisters Kate [11], Ellen [6], Maud [4] and Florence [3 months]. All except his mother were born in Castle Camps. 1911 census...Aged 18, farm labourer, he was at Castle Camps withhis parents; brothers Henry T (horsekeeper) and Herbert; sisters Ellen and Florence. All the 8 siblings survive. On the 14th October 1919 his mother completed the "Living Relatives" Army form, recording herself, his father and brother Henry[29] and sister Florence [18] at 1 Alpha Terrace, Castle Camps, brother Herbert [21], L/Cpl at Bracton Camp, Stafford; sisters Lizzie BARRETT [31] 3 The Green, Winchmore Hill, London; Kate [32] at 25 Broadway Ma?n? Winchmore Hill, London; Maud [23] at 28 Lakeside Rd, Palmer Green,London; Ellen [24] at Fulbourn and half sister Ada READER [37] at High Street, Castle Camps. |
|
He enlisted in Haverhill in the Suffolk Regiment (25100) on 31st January 1916, placed on Reserves and mobilised in Bury St Edmunds on 3rd March 1916 in 10th Battalion
Suffolks, transferred to 4th Battalion on 8th April and transferred to the 24th Battalion, London Regiment No.6182 -later- 722966, on 7th June 1916. He gave his age as 23 years 6
months, a farm labourer form Castle Camps, next of kin his father, Albert. He was 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm) tall, chest 32" to 34.5" (81.3 to 87.6 cm),
weighing 132 lbs (60.1 kg).
He embarked at Southampton on 15th June 1916, arriving Le Havre next day. He was wounded in the scalp by a rifle grenade on 14th April 1917 and evacuated via 13th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne to England on 18th April. He returned to the BEF on 12th October 1917. From an Army inter departmental letter it appears his parents were told he was wounded on the 5th December 1917, and must have been told later that he died that day. There were several letters at the time but most are washed out. He was also subject of several letters when they were trying to get him fitted with dentures in 1916 before being drafted to France. Not the first relatives to learn of the opportunism endemic in the Armed Forces of all nations photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
