242689, Private, Frederick Walter ROLPH
Age 26
East Surrey Regiment, 7th Battalion
Died of Wounds in Captivity on Monday 4th February 1918
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Born in Camberwell, London Q2-1892 1D:919
1901 census...Aged 9, he was living at 218 Albany Rd, Camberwell with his father- Mark ROLPH (recorded as ROLFE) [37] wheelwright born Lakenheath; mother Sarah (née PIKE) [41] born Walworth, London; sister Mabel L.[11] born Camberwell; brother Arthur T.[6] born Camberwell; brother- Sidney J. [4] born Camberwell; brother- Albert E [2] born Camberwell. 1911 census... Aged 19, a commercial clerk boarding at 222 Albany Road, Camberwell with the Howe family. His parents; sister Mabel Lily, brothers Arthur Thomas, Sidney James and Albert Edward were at Angling Lane, Lakenheath. His parents address at the end of the war was Sandpits, Lakenheath. |
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Enlisted in London . There is some confusion as CWGC and "Soldiers Died" and Medal Roll card for War and Victory medals have his regimental number as 242689, whereas his medal index card for his 1914-1915 Star has 5070. Does not appear to be two different men as the date of embarkation and death are the same. Until more records are available it is not known where or when he was captured. He died before the big German attack in the spring of 1918. He was moved to his present resting place in 1923 when all British burials in Germany were concentrated into four large cemeteries. He has not been found on the International Red Cross WW1 Prisoners of War data base as Rolf, Rolfe or Rolph. However the Bury Free Press of 26th August 1916 reported that Prvt F.W.Rolph, 8th East Surrey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rolph was in a London hospital with flesh wounds to his right knee and leg and was making progress. Thus he seems to have survived the 1st battle of the Somme. The Bury Free Press of 23rd March 1918 reported:- LAKENHEATH SOLDIER'S DEATH FROM WOUNDS We regretfully record the sad news which has been received at Anglian House, Lakenheath, by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rolph, concerning their son.Private Frederick Rolph, East Surrey Regiment. He was taken prisoner on November 30th 1917, after having been wounded in one side. He had written home saying he was going on very well. The last communication from him was on January 27th. He was then in camp.Mr. Rolph has received the following letter, written by Company Sergt-major W.Allan:- "Dear Sir- Your son, Private Rolph, was buried today, 6-2-18, in the cemetery attached to the hospital. The French Roman Catholic priest officiated and the funeral was attended by a number of British, French and Italian prisoners of war. A wreath was sent by the British officers and N.C.O.s and men. The grave will be marked by a wooden cross, with the name of regiment and date of death on." We express our deep sympathy for the parents and family in this unexpected bereavement. There are three other sons who are soldiers. At least the family had some better news in the next edition of the Bury Free Press where it was reported that Frederick's brother Able Seaman, Albert Edward Rolph of Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, although wounded and gassed, was on ship, on his way home from France. |
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