Frederick Johnson was born in Dudleston in 1895 to William and Minnie (nee Farlow). He was the second of three children with elder sister May, born in 1894 in Dudleston and William, born in 1899 at Llansantffraidd. By 1901 the family were living at the White Hart Inn at 17 Upper Church Street, Oswestry where William, his father, was the publican. In 1911 Frederick was working as a billiard marker and living  at the Wynnstay Hotel – owned by Charles Drew, Frederick’s employer and father of George M (Montford) Drew, Lieutenant RNR . Also employed at the hotel were William Farmer, brother of Private 158 Edward Farmer and Paulina Ann Mathews, wife to be of Private R4/089184 John P Jones. Frederick married Maria Mates at Oswestry in 1916; they would have one child.

Frederick’s military records have few details for him. He enlisted at Oswestry, probably in 1915 and joining King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He went over to France, probably in May 1916, and was posted to 1 Bn KSLI. Frederick died of wounds on 23 June 1917 at 7 Casualty Clearing Station at Noeux-les-Mines. At the time the battalion was out of the line in billets at Fouquieres where they had been since 16 June. During the previous weeks the battalion had been spending tours in the front line near to Hulluch; casualties had been light. There is no information as to how he received his wound. Frederick is buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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