War Memorials - Surnames F

Index

Click on the name to jump to the relevant entry

FABER, Cecil Valdemar
FARLEY, George A (New 17/03/2009)
FENNER, Thomas William
FERGUSON, Philip (Revised 10/10/2009)
FOSTER, Norman Kesson (New 04/04/2010)
FOULGER, A.G. (Updated 26/09/2010)
FOULGER, Harry R.
FOULGER, William Arthur,
FOYAN, Lydia Trower (Revised 17/11/2010)
FREELAND, W
FRIDAY, Edward,
FRIDAY, Lewis James (Updated 30/01/2011)

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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FABER Cecil Valdemar, 2nd Lieutenant

9th King's Royal Rifle Corps
Killed in Action 30th July 1915, aged 19

Cecil Valdemar (Only C on memorial) Faber was born on 20 Dec 1895 (GRO June 1896 Hexham 10b 357), to Johan Valdemar Faber and Emma Maude Stanley Countessa Vivian Faber (nee Vivian) (GRO reference: Dec 1861 Tynemouth 10b 146).

The 1901 census shows the family living at 'Derwent Dene', Hexam. Cecil's father a 'Provision Importer Employer' was originally from Denmark, and he had an older brother Vivian Valdemar age 7 (GRO Dec 1893 Hexham 10b 330) and a younger sister Mollie Vivian age 2 (GRO Jun 1899 Hexham 10b 381). They enjoyed the services of six servants, and a coachman, who lived in the 'Lodge' with his family.

He was educated at Eton. He had not previously served in a Government department. He was able to ride. He joined the Volunteer Corps attached to Sussex Volunteers 1905-1909. He was in the Officer Training Corps at Eton for 8 terms. He applied for a temporary commission 9 Jan 1915 and was pronounced fit for military service.

From the Times July 1915:-

Educated Cottesmore School, Hove and Eton where he was head of his house. He matriculated for Oriel college Oxford in 1914 and was to have gone up in 1915. However on the outbreak of war in Aug 1914 he joined up and was gazetted into the 9th KRRC. He left for the front on 21 May 1915. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Faber, the Manor House Ewell. Participated in the British Expeditionary Force.

Advertiser 6th August 1915:-

SECOND LIEUT. CECIL FABER, 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps, killed in action on July 31st , was 19 years of age. He was educated at Cottesmore School, Hove and Eton, where he was head of his house, and matriculated for Oriel College, Oxford in 1914, and was to have entered this year, but on the outbreak of war he joined the army and was gazetted to the 9th K.R.R.C. He left for the front on May 21st. He was the youngest son of Mr Faber, of the Manor House, Ewell.

The medal Roll shows Cecil was Private 1467 Royal Fusiliers, then Second Lieutenant.

The 1915 electoral roll, shows the family living in the Manor House, Cheam Road, Ewell. The Manor House, Ewell was located where the residential road, Stane Way now exists, halfway between the Ewell by pass and the High Street. Pulled down and houses built c 1930s.

The 9th KRRC was in the 42nd Brigade, 14th Division. On 30th July 1915 they were in the Hooge sector in Belgium. The Germans had attacked early that morning, using for the first time in warfare, flame throwers, and had taken all the British front line trenches. Cecil Faber's battalion was not in the front line at the time, but later in the day they were ordered to counter attack and retake the front line, and they did recover some lost ground, but 'Soldiers Died in The Great War 1914-19' shows five officers and ninety five other ranks from the 9th KRRC lost their lives that day.

Cecil was killed in action on 30th July 1915 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Panel 51 & 53. The CWGC states 'Son of Mr & Mrs J.V. Faber, of The Links, Worplesdon.

National Archives reference: WO339/31884. 3 August 1915 telegram announcing that he had been killed in action 31 July 1915 .Lord Kitchener expressed his sympathy. File included a letter from mother to WO B Company 42nd Bde, 14th Light division. She signed herself Maud Faber (not Maude as in BMD).

Cecil's next of kin was his father Johan Valdemar Faber. His effects were sent to Army shipping agents Cox and Co 16 Charing Cross Rd, London, who credited £46 10s and £3 17s less one day's over pay of 7s 6d into his father's account London Provincial Bank account. He served 124 days at rate of 7s 6d =£46 00 00.

Cecil's brother, Vivian Faber of 134 Bute Street, Cardiff wrote to War Office in 1930 to see if any pay was due since only his effects had been recovered 1915. He stated that his brother had been killed at Hooge in July 1915 when KRRR made an attack and was shot on reaching enemy trenches. He was told estate had been settled.

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FARLEY George Albert, Lance Corporal. 320594.

15th Battalion Suffolk Regiment.
Died 27 October 1918, aged 22.

George's headstobe in Terlinchtun British Cemetery, Wimille, near Boulogne
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert ©2009

George Albert Farley was born in Putney in 1896 (GRO reference: Mar 1896 Wandsworth 1d 782) to William Henry and Sarah Jane Farley (nee Essery).

In the 1901 census the family lived at Vicarage Walk, Walton-on-Thames. George's father was a 35 year old wheelwright, his mother was aged 34. He had three siblings, Ada aged 10, Willie (Henry William) aged 7, and Annie aged 6 months.

George and his older brother Henry both attested at Kingston on the same day, 26 May 1915, into the Suffolk Regiment. They were given almost consecutive service numbers 20326 and 20328. Perhaps a chum they went with was given 20327? However, George's number changed at some point during the war to 320591, probably as a result of moving from his original Suffolk Battalion to the 15th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 120 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 35 ½ inches with an expansion of 4 ½ inches. He was a painter, and along with his brother lived at 21, Harris Villas, Epsom Common.

George's service papers have not survived, but the Soldiers Died CD states that he died on 27 October 1918, not killed in action or died of wounds, simply died. It is possible that he died as the result of an accident, but probably he died from the influenza epidemic that was rampant at the time, and claimed many millions of lives worldwide. However, his headstone has the following inscription, chosen by his next of kin:

GOD KNOWS WHO SAW HIM FALL
HERO MID HEROES ALL
THROUGH SHOT AND SHELL

George is buried in Terlinchtun British Cemetery, Wimille, near Boulogne. The cemetery was begun in June 1918 and was used for burials from the base hospitals.

He was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.

EP CC

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FENNER Thomas William, Serjeant. M2/132413.

618 Company Army Service Corps (18 Motor Ambulance Convoy).
Died 27 October 1918, aged 28.

Sergeant Thomas William Fenner's headstone at the Cape Town (Plumstead) Cemetery, B1 UL 39
Image courtesy of Sheila Lothian © 2007

Thomas William Fenner was born at Hampstead in 1890 (GRO reference: Dec 1890 Hampstead 1a 591) to William and Louisa Fenner (nee Scrimger).

In the 1891 census the family lived at 5 William's Mews, Hampstead. Thomas' father was a domestic servant Coachman. He had two sisters Florence aged 8 and Louisa aged 4 (GRO reference: Mar 1887 Hampstead 1a 663). (In Ancestry Fenner wrongly transcribed Fanner).

Purbery Shot Lodge, Epsom Road
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008

By the 1901 census they lived in Purbery Shot Lodge, Epsom Road. Purbery Shot being then owned by William M Walters, a 66 year old solicitor. Thomas' father was still a Coachman.

He was a member of the Ewell Old Boys' Association in 1913-1914. His address at this time was c/o Sir W. H. Solomon, Belmont, Rondboch, S. Africa.

I could not find Thomas in the Soldiers Died CD, but he is in the medal roll, Serjeant M2/132413.

Thomas enlisted on 21 October 1915 at the Central London Recruiting Depot in Whitehall aged 24. He was 5 feet 8 ¾ inches tall, weighed 149 lbs and had a chest measurement of 39 inches with an expansion of 4 inches. His physical development was good and he had perfect 6/6 vision in both eyes. He lived at 26 Eton Road Ewell, and was employed as a chauffeur. His father was his declared next of kin. He had previously served 141 days in the 'SAUF SWA'.

Between 21 October 1915 and 28 May 1918 Thomas served in the following places:

Home (England)	21 October 1915 - 25 January 1916
East Africa	26 January 1916 - 21 January 1917
South Africa	22 January 1917 - 29 May 1917
East Africa	30 May 1917 - 24 August 1917
South Africa	25 August 1917 - 28 May 1918

and his military career progressed as follows:

Acting Corporal unpaid	Grove Park	26 October 1915
Acting Corporal paid	Grove Park	28 December 1915
Acting Serjeant unpaid	Avonmouth	20 January 1916
Acting Serjeant with pay	Serengeti	19 March 1916
Serjeant paid		11 October 1916

Thomas suffered bad health whilst in Africa, first being admitted to hospital with dysentery on 3 September 1916. Then on 10 September he was diagnosed as suffering with malaria. He was discharged on 12 September but readmitted again on 21 November. It seems he never really recovered, being discharged and readmitted 4 times. Whilst he was at Simons Town, South Africa, on 28 May 1918 he was finally discharged from the Army as being unfit for further military service.

He was awarded a small 20% disability Army pension of 32 shillings and 6 pence for four weeks, then 6shillings and 6 pence until 27 May 1919, when his pension ceased. Alas he did not receive his full allotment of pension as he died on 27 October 1918, presumably from Malaria.

Cape Town (Plumstead) Cemetery.
Image courtesy of Sheila Lothian © 2007

He is buried in Cape Town (Plumstead) Cemetery, B1 UL 39. Although discharged from the Army he appears in the CWGC records and has a CWGC headstone presumably because he was in receipt of a pension.

BH EW ES

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FERGUSON Philip, Captain.

Royal Army Medical Corps.
Died 27 January 1919, aged 34.

Philip's headstone in Epsom Cemetery
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2009

Philip Ferguson was born in the Chorlton (Manchester) registration district in the first half of 1885 (GRO reference: Jun 1885 Chorlton 8c 608) to John and Emily Ferguson (nee Rostron). His parents had married in Stockport in 1882.

In the 1891 census the family lived at 266 Stockport Road, Chorlton on Medlock, Lancashire. Philip's father John was a 35 year old General Practitioner who had been born in Manchester. His mother Emily was 36 and had been born in Stockport. Philip had one older and one younger sister, Marion born in 1884 and Helen born in 1887. The household employed two servants.

In the 1901 census the family were at the same address, but Philip's father was then described as a surgeon working on his own account. They still employed two servants.

Philip followed his father into medicine and in 1906 went to study medicine at Manchester University and then to the London Hospital. While a student he was a demonstrator in anatomy and physiology at the University of Manchester and was house surgeon at MRI and at the London Throat Hospital. By 1913 he was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS).

On the outbreak of war Philip joined the RAMC with the rank of Lieutenant, and according to his medal card he was sent to France on 24 August 1914 and served in the General Hospital No. 3, which at the time was situated in Rouen. In 1915 he was promoted Captain.

In 1917 in Manchester Philip married Gwendolen Ascroft. A marriage notification appeared in the 15 December 1917 edition of The Guardian. The following year their son John H L was born in Epsom. Before his son's birth, on 9 February 1918 Philip had joined the Horton War hospital, as an ear, nose and throat specialist.

The following is a quote from page 169 of Lt Colonel Lord's book 'THE STORY OF THE HORTON (CO. OF LONDON) WAR HOSPITAL EPSOM':

Prevention of Man Wastage from Otorrhoea. --With Colonel A. Carlerss, A.M.S., Consulting Surgeon, Eastern Command, Captain P. Ferguson was engaged in work on the prevention of "man wastage from otorrhoea" in the army, so as to make it possible for men so suffering to continue to be efficient soldiers under all conditions.

NOTE: Otorrhoea being a purulent discharge from the ear that might be cancerous.

Philip died at Horton War Hospital on 28 January 1919, of septicaemia caused by an acute septic throat whilst he was suffering from influenza.

The following entry appeared in the British Medical Journal dated 8 February 1919:

Philip's Bereavement Article in the British Medical Journal

The Epsom Herald dated 31 January 1919 carried the following report of his death:

Death of an eye specialist - The death occurred on Monday of Capt. Philip Ferguson, aged 34 years, who was a most valued member of staff at the Horton war Hospital. The deceased gentleman was a most skilful eye specialist, and performed, while at the hospital, a great number of successful operations. His death has caused the deepest regret at the hospital.

Another quote from Lt Colonel's book, page 88:

Captain P. Ferguson, F.R.C.S., arrived on 9th February 1918 as Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist and his death in the officer's ward on 27th January 1919, from an acute septic throat, contracted when fighting the terrible influenza epidemic, was a great shock to the hospital, especially when his constant cheerfulness, unbounded energy, and devotion to duty were a source of great strength and encouragement to both staff and patients, during a time of gloom and anxiety.

Philip was awarded the 1914 star, British War medal and the Victory medal. On 28 January 1925, a Major G. Barlow-Ascroft applied for the medals on behalf of Philip's widow, who was living at Primrose House, Windsor Road, Oldham, Lancashire.

Front and back of Philips's medal card.
Image courtesy of Ancestry.co.uk (Link opens in a new window)
Copyright 2009, The Generations Network, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Philip was buried in plot 559A in Epsom Cemetery on 31 January 1919.

For a fee a photograph of Philip can be obtained from The John Rylands University Library, University of Manchester, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH. 0161 275 3778.

EP HWH

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FOSTER Norman Kesson, Captain

RAMC
Died 2 December 1918, aged 36.

Norman Kessen Foster was born in 1882 in Jamaica, son of Edward A and Helen Foster. His mother and siblings were also all born there. Although his father E A Foster appears on Norman's medal card, no further personal records can be found about him.

The first record found of any of the Foster family being in England was of Norman's older brother Edward who appeared as a boarder at Wycliff College Stonehouse Gloucestershire in the 1891 census. He was noted as being born in 1877 in Kingston Jamaica.

Sometime within the next ten years the rest of the family arrived from Jamaica as when the 1901 census was taken 19 year old Norman was living with his mother Helen and siblings Edward, aged 24 and Helen, aged 10 at 2, Inglis Road Ealing. Norman and Edward were both medical students. His father was not there at the time.

Norman graduated from the University College London with a M.B and B.S London in 1908.

When the 1911 census was taken, Norman was an assistant medical officer in a county lunatic asylum. He went on to join Horton asylum in Epsom before taking a temporary commission as a lieutenant in the RAMC on 2 July 1917. A year later he was promoted to Captain.

Norman's medal card states that he entered the Egyptian theatre of war on 3 November 1917, and also shows that he died at sea on 2 December 1918. That he died at sea is confirmed by a report in the British Medical Journal, dated 21 December 1918, on page 697, reproduced below. The report does not state the cause of death:

Captain N.K. Foster, R.A.M.C.
Captain Norman Kessen Foster, R.A.M.C., died on board the hospital ship Amara on December 2nd. He was the younger son of Edward A. Foster, I.S.O., of Oxford; was educated at University College, London, and graduated M.B. and B.S.Lond. in 1908. He took a temporary commission as lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. on July 2nd, 1917, and was promoted to captain on completion of a year's service.

Norman was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal. His father's name and address appear at the bottom of the medal card as E A Foster Esq. (Father); Peer Gynt, Grassington, nr. Skipton, Yorks.

He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial in Alexandria, Egypt. The Memorial commemorates almost 1,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died during the First World War and have no other grave but the sea.

HWH

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FOULGER Alfred George Edward, Driver. 217147.

Royal Field Artillery (previously ASC No. T4/124239).
Died November 1921, aged 38

Alfred is buried in Epsom cemetery but the plot is unmarked.
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert ©2008.

Alfred George Edward Foulger was born in Epsom on 15 December 1882 (GRO reference: Mar 1883 Epsom 2a 19) to Alfred William and Mary Foulger (nee Taylor). His parents had married on 5 Jul 1877 at Christ Church, Epsom. Mary Foulger died in 1913 and was buried in plot K632, Epsom Cemetery; Alfred died in 1928 and is buried in the same plot. Cemetery records show that four other members of the Foulger family were also buried in plot K632.

Alfred was one of at least ten children born to Alfred (senior) and Mary. Christ Church baptism records show:

NAME	DOB	BAPTISED	FATHER'S OCCUPATION	ADDRESS
Sarah Louise	Not given	10 Feb 1878	Butcher	Epsom Common (Died June 1878)
Alice Mary	Not given	21 Jan 1881	Drayman	Dorking Road Epsom
Alfred George Edward	15 Dec 1882	11 Feb 1883	Butcher	Epsom Common
Walter James	18 July 1884	21 Sep 1884	Butcher	Epsom Common
George Frederick	4 Jan 1887	3 Apr 1887	Labourer	Epsom Common
Thomas Frank	6 Mar 1890	27 Apr 1890	Labourer	Epsom Common
Florence Susan	31 May 1891	29 Jul 1891	Labourer	Saunders Cottages Epsom Common
William Arthur	29 Mar 1894	20 May 1894	Labourer	Epsom Common
Lilian May	9 May 1896	19 Jul 1896	Labourer	Epsom common
Harry Richard	30 Mar 1899	28 Apr 1899	Labourer	Epsom Common

Piecing together information from 'burnt' service records, Army pension records, medal records, CWGC records, Soldiers Died CD and the Surrey Recruitment Registers CD it appears that all six brothers served in the army. William Arthur and Harry Richard were both killed (see separate entries). Alfred George Edward died shortly after the war in November 1921, aged 38. George Frederick was discharged on 1 May 1917 as no longer fit for military service. Thomas Frank attested on 3 November 1914 but was discharged on 12 January 1915 as unlikely to become an efficient soldier on medical grounds. However, it seems he was later accepted on 7 June 1915 into the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Walter James seems to have survived the war but very little information on him has survived. According to 'Free BMD' only two Walter James Foulgers were born between 1875 and 1900. Two Walter James Foulger medal cards survive, so one is probably 'our' Walter James.

The 1881 census shows the family living in Dorking Road. Alfred (senior) was a 27 year old drayman, his wife Mary was 24. Their daughter Alice Mary was 4 months old.

By 1891 the family lived at Saunders cottages, Epsom Common. Alice was 10 years old, Alfred was 8, Walter 6, George 4 and Thomas 1. Alfred (senior) was shown as a butcher, although in the Christ Church register above he was recorded as a labourer.

The 1901 census shows the family living a 3 Newton Cottages (Epsom Common). Alfred (senior) was still a butcher. Four more siblings had arrived, Florence aged 9, William aged 7, Lilian aged 4 and Harry aged 2. A nephew, 32 year old Sydney Taylor was staying with them on census night.

Alfred George Edward Foulger married Maud Page on 1 July 1911 (GRO reference: Sep 1911 Camberwell 1d 1595). They had four children: Maud Alice born 10 July 1912 (GRO reference: Sep 1912 Southwark 1d 231), Elsie Winifred born 24 February 1914 (GRO reference: Jun 1914 Southwark 1d 185), George Edmund born 9 June 1916 (GRO reference: Jun 1916 Epsom 2a 67) and Florence Lilian born 29 July 1917 (GRO reference: Sep 1917 Epsom 2a 50). His daughters were also baptised at Christ Church, but there is no record for George. At the time of Maud's baptism (Aug 1912) Alfred is recorded as a scaffolder living at 89 Villa St, Walworth, London SE., but at Elsie's baptism he is recorded as a labourer living at 12 Stones Rd, Linton Lane, Epsom. He was at the same address for Florence's but gave his occupation as soldier.

The Surrey Recruitment Register CD has three entries for either Alfred or AE Foulger.

The first on 28 August 1914. Alfred Foulger, labourer, born in Epsom, aged 31 years 8 months, attested in Epsom into the RFA. He was only 5 feet 3 1/2 inches tall, weighed 130 lbs, chest 34 inches, expansion 2 inches. He had a sallow complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.

The second entry, a month later on 23 September 1914. Alfred Foulger, labourer, born in Epsom, aged 31 years 9 months, attesting in Epsom into the East Surrey Regiment. This Alfred was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 122 lbs, chest 35 1/2 inches, expansion 2 1/2 inches. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.

The third entry, 5 months later on 8 February 1915. A.E. Foulger, attendant, born in Epsom, aged 32 years, attesting in Epsom into the Army Service Corps (ASC). A.E. Foulger was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 122 lbs, chest 35 inches, expansion 3 inches. No references to personal details, but he lived at 56 Common View, Epsom.

Only 2 Alfred Foulgers are shown in BMD records as being born between 1880 and 1884, one is our Alfred George Edward born in Epsom, the other, just Alfred, was born in Lambeth in 1881.

Could the first entry have been Alfred senior, in his late 50s, trying to join up?

Pension records confirm the second entry, showing Alfred attesting on 23 September 1914 into the East Surreys, but being discharged on 14 November 1914, as medically unfit and therefore unlikely to become an efficient soldier. Also recorded is that his next of kin, wife Maud, lived at 2 Elm Grove Villas, Station Road, Epsom, and that he had two children, Maud Alice and Elsie Winifred.

Pension records also confirm the third entry, and reveal quite a lot of information on the army career of Driver A.E. Foulger, No. T4/124239 Army Service Corps, later No. 217147, 1 Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

5 March 1915	Appointed L/Corporal.
25 March 1915	Appointed A/Corporal.
No date shown	Appointed A/Sergeant.
18 May 1915	Reduced A/Corporal.
3 January 1916 to 11 January 1916	Absent 9 days.
2 February 1916	Embarked "Saturnia" Devonport. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
13 February 1916	Disembarked. Alexandria, Egypt. Posted to Base H.T. Depot.
21 February 1916	Joined 31 Division Train ASC. Kantara, Egypt.
1 April 1916	1 Low Field Ambulance Hospital admitted.
15 April 1916	Admitted Hospital. Kantara.
17 April 1916	Transferred to 31 General Hospital Port Said, Egypt.
2 May 1916	Discharged.
3 May 1916	To 217 Company ASC.
10 July 1916	Admitted Hospital. Kantara.
11 July 1916	Gastric ulcer. Admitted 31 General Hospital. Port Said.
14 July 1916	To Nasrieh School. Cairo.
13 August 1916	To 15 General Hospital. Alexandria.
30 September 1916	Invalided to England on H.S. Gloucester Castle.
4 December 1916 to 12 December 1916	Absent 8 days.
12 December 1916	To duty.
29 January 1917	Transferred to 1st Reserve Brigade RFA.
14 January 1918	Discharged physically unfit Para 393 (XVI) K.R.

Alfred was finally discharged from the army, physically unfit for further service on 14 January 1918. He died in 1921 at Middle House, Dorking Rd, Epsom . this was the old workhouse that would later become Epsom General Hospital. He was buried in Epsom cemetery on 26 November 1921, in plot K632. This plot also contains the remains of his parents, his wife and his brother Thomas Frank.

Alfred's medal card shows he was entitled to the Victory medal and the British War medal. However, whilst most of the details on the card tally, service numbers, units and dates of enlistment and discharge, he is shown as Albert Edward Foulger, not Alfred Edward.

Alfred's medals and bronze plaque in a wooden frame
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2010

Alfred is not commemorated by the CWGC as a war casualty, presumably because he died after having been discharged from the army. However, I feel that his life must have been greatly reduced as a result of his army service, and was therefore an indirect casualty. The person who added his name to the Ashley Road memorial must also have felt that he was a casualty of war. I suspect that person was his wife Maud, who now had four children to bring up on her own. On one of Alfred's surviving pension forms is an official army stamp 'DECEASED', and in handwriting is written 'Next of kin:- Wife Maud Foulger 12 Stones Road, Lyntons Lane, East Street, Epsom.

With thanks to Bill Owen for allowing the medals to be photographed.

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FOULGER Harry Richard, Private. 57553.

26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers.
Killed in Action 25 October 1918, aged 19.

Harry Richard Foulger was born in Epsom on 30 March 1899 (GRO reference: Jun 1899 Epsom 2a 23) to Alfred William and Mary Foulger (nee Taylor).

For details of Harry's parents and siblings see the entry for his brother Alfred George Edward Foulger.

Harry attested in Epsom on 19 June 1916 into the 10 Battalion East Surrey Regiment, which was a reserve and training battalion, later transferring the 26 Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Harry was born on 30 March 1899, so was therefore only 17 when he attested on 19 June 1916, although he is shown as 18. He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighed 104 lbs, had a chest measurement of 31 inches with an expansion of 2 inches. His occupation was a labourer, and his address was 47, Woodlands Road.

The 26 Battalion Royal Fusiliers were in the 124 Brigade in the 41 Division. When Harry was killed on 25 October 1918 the war had only 17 days left before the armistice stopped the carnage. The final battles of the war had commenced on 8 August and saw the Allies advancing through the whole of France and Belgium. On the 25 October 'The action of Ootegem' took place, when 11 men from the 26 Royal Fusiliers were killed in action including Harry. Ootegem is a small village east of Courtrai in Belgium. Harry is buried in the nearby Heestert Military Cemetery.

Harry's medal card shows he was entitled to the British War medal and the Victory medal. It also has the name and address, Mrs A. Dench, 46, Woodlands Road, The Common, Epsom, Surrey, possibly Harry's landlady?

EP CC

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FOULGER William Arthur, Private. 10764.

1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment.
Killed in Action 19 November 1914, aged 20

William Foulger's inscription on the Menin Gate Memorial
Image courtesy of Clive Gilbert © 2008

William Arthur Foulger was born on 29 March 1894 (GRO reference: Jun 1894 Epsom 2a 21) to Alfred William and Mary Foulger, (nee Taylor).

For details of William's parents and siblings see the entry for his brother Alfred George Edward Foulger.

William attested on 4 December 1913 and became a regular soldier in the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment. He was 5 feet 4 ¾ inches tall, weighed 116 lbs, and had a chest measurement of 34 inches with an expansion of 2 inches. His religion was Church of England. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair, and had a long scar above his left eye, and four vaccination marks, from infancy. His vision was rated 6/6 in each eye. He had been a barman, and had worked for a Mr Bates at the Wellington Hotel, Epsom, which was next to the Post Office in the High Street.

Quite a fair amount of his 'burnt' service papers survived the blitz. His conduct sheet showing that in the eight months between 6 February 1914 and 3 October 1914 he suffered punishment on 6 separate occasions. Receiving a total of 11 days CB (confined to barracks) for 3 offences of 'Not complying with an order'. Five days CB for 'Not complying with an order and being dirty on parade'. On one occasion he was admonished for being absent from midnight until 2pm on the next day. Finally, just four days before being sent to France he received 3 days CB for 'Falling out of the ranks without permission'.

The 'burnt' papers also show that he spent some time in Dublin, having been posted there on 18 April 1914, returning to England on 22nd August 1914. His final posting was to France on 7th October. His active service in France amounted to just over 6 weeks as he was killed on 19 November 1914.

The East Surrey Regimental History tells us that on 16 November 1914 the Battalion entered trenches east of Lindenhoek, near Mount Kemmel, taking over from the French 153rd Regiment. The relief was difficult as the German trenches ranged from only 50 to 100 yards away, and were on higher ground. On 17 November the support trenches were persistently shelled. During the night and early morning of the 18 November there was a sharp frost and some snow. Shelling continued, causing several casualties. The 19 -20 November were bitterly cold with heavy snow on the 19th, and the trenches were shelled each day. So it seems very likely that William was killed by shell fire.

A letter dated 27 July 1915, states 'any articles of private property' to be sent to Miss F Foulger, 47 Woodlands Road, Epsom.

On 24 May 1919 his relatives still alive were listed as;

Father Alfred William aged 64, 47 Woodlands Road, Epsom Common. (Mother deceased).
Alfred Foulger 38, Stones Cottages, Epsom.
Walter Foulger 35, 14, Carters Cottage, Epsom.
Frank Foulger 29, West Street, Ewell.
George Foulger 32, Landsdowne Cottage, Monchtonecombe (?) Nr Bath.
Florence Foulger 26, West Hill, Epsom.
Lilian Foulger 23, Cleaves Cottage, Epsom.

On 17 July 1919 receipt of William's 1914 star was acknowledged by his sister Florence Foulger, but the clasp was not forwarded until 3 July 1924, when it was acknowledged by Florence Douglas. Presumably his sister had, by then, married although I have not been able to confirm this.

Receipt of his British War Medal was acknowledged by Florence Foulger on 14 July 1921.

William is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

EP CC

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FOYAN Lydia Trower, Probationer Nurse.

Horton War Hospital Staff.
Died 1919, aged 30.

Lydia Trower Foyan was born in 1887 (GRO Reference: Dec 1887 West Derby 8b 463), daughter of Thomas Frederick and Sarah Ellen Foyan (nee Rosenbohm). Her parents had married on 23 August 1876 in West Derby Lancashire. Thomas had been verger of St Paul's church Liverpool in 1879.

In 1881, before Lydia was born, her parents and older siblings Beatrice and Thomas Frederick Trower, had been living in Kirkdale, Lancashire with her maternal grandparents, Henry (Harmon) and Mary Ann Rosenbohm. Henry had been born in Hanover Germany and was a sugar boiler by trade. Mary Ann had been born either in Surrey or Sussex, (depending on which census you look at) and was a confectioner.

Lydia was aged 3 when the 1891 census was taken. She lived with her parents and siblings Beatrice aged 13, Thomas aged 11, Edith aged 5 and Ethel aged 1 at 38, Romlyn Road, Walton on the Hill, Lancashire. Her father Thomas worked as a sugar boiler (refiner) to support his family. Also staying with the family was Sarah's brother Jose M. Rosenbohm.

Between 1894 and 1902 Lydia's father Thomas was working as an assistant for the Taikoo Sugar Refinery in the Quarry Bay area of Hong Kong. It is possible that his wife Sarah was there with him as well, as she does not appear in the 1901 census with their children.

The children of the family were still living at the same address when the 1901 census was taken but Lydia's 21-year-old brother Thomas was named the head of the household. He was working as a clerk for a steam ship company and seems to have been solely responsible for his sisters Beatrice, Edith, Lydia and Ethel. He went on to study theology at Durham University after which he travelled, as a Church of England Reverend, to Tingha New South Wales Australia, and where he later married Eveline H. Steele in Mosman, New South Wales in 1917. They returned to England in 1920 with their child. Thomas died in Surrey England in 1970.

Lydia's father Thomas Frederick Foyan, died on 21 June 1904 in West Derby Lancashire.

In 1911 Lydia was living with her mother and siblings, Beatrice, Thomas and Edith, in Fairfield, Liverpool. Lydia was employed as a teacher working for the local authority. Lydia's mother Sarah stated that she has given birth to six children and that five were still alive.

Exactly when Lydia came to Epsom is unknown but she died, aged 30, in 1919 (GRO Ref: Mar 1919 Epsom 2a 77) in Epsom where she had been working as a probationer nurse in the Horton War Hospital. The influenza pandemic, which was estimated as being responsible for the deaths of over 50 million people between 1918 and 1920, was the cause of her death.

Lydia's grave is in Anfield Cemetery Liverpool Lancashire.

Lydia's mother died on 17th July 1935, whilst living at 1, Swiss Road, Fairfield, Liverpool. Lydia's spinster sister Beatrice was named as her administrator.

HWH

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FREELAND W.

Died N/K, aged N/K

Pending further research this is what we have discovered about this person

(Listed on the Ewell Old Boys Memorial).

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FRIDAY Edward, Corporal. 2043.

9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment.
Killed in Action 3 September 1916, aged 40.

Edward Friday circa 1915
Image courtesy of the Friday Family ©2008

Edward Friday was born on 11 September 1875 (GRO reference: Sep 1875 Dartford 2a 384) to Henry and Mary Faith Friday (nee Agate).

Edward's father Henry had previously married, in Rochester, on 21 October 1835 to Amelia Strains Rye. Henry and Amelia produced 9 children, all half siblings to Edward. They were:

George born 16 June 1838
Amelia Elizabeth born 25 December 1839
Ellen Mary born 18 August 1841
Henry born 31 December 1842
Arthur born 2 November 1844
John Neame born 21 May 1847
William Henry born 18 August 1850
Edith Margaret born 5 May 1857.

Amelia Strains Friday (nee) Rye died on 12 April 1865.

In April 1868 Henry married Mary Faith Agate, 28 years his junior. In 1851 Henry had been a farmer of 102 acres employing 15 labourers. By 1871 he was a gardener, and by 1881 was in the Dartford Union Workhouse where he died on 18 March 1895 aged 82.

In the 1871 census, before Edward was born, the family lived in Barrack field, Buckingham Street, Northfleet, Kent. Edward's father Henry was a 60 year old gardener, and had remarried in 1868 (GRO reference: Jun 1868 St. George S. 1d 131) to Mary Faith Agate, a much younger woman at 32. Edward had two sisters, Ellen (may have been registered as Fanny) aged 5 (GRO reference Dec 1867 Dartford 2a 334) and Sarah Anne aged 2 (GRO reference: N. Aylesford Dec 1868 2a 423).

In the 1881 census the family lived at 3 Lion Road, Bexley. Mary was shown as the head of the family, and was a 41 year old laundress. Henry was in the Dartford Union Workhouse. Edward had another sister Sophia aged 9. Mary's 39 year old sister Sarah was living with them.

In the 1891 census the family lived at the Old brickfield, Ewell. Mary was still working as a laundress but was now shown as a widow despite her husband Henry being alive, but in the Dartford union Workhouse. Edward, now 15 was show as an 'Errand Boy Post'.

In 1898 Edward married Ada Mary King (GRO reference: Dec 1898 Epsom 2a 26). They had 9 children:

Katie Frances (GRO reference: Mar 1900 Wandsworth 1d 851) Died 1906 aged 6.

Margaret Annie (GRO reference: Mar 1901 Wandsworth 1d 734)

Edward Albert (GRO reference: Sep 1902 Wandsworth 1d 714)

Cecil Charles (GRO reference: Jun 1904 Wandsworth 1d 733) Died 1904 aged 0.

Dorothy May (GRO reference: Jun 1906 Wandsworth 1d 651)

Frank Walter (GRO reference: Jun 1907 Wandsworth 1d 723)

Elsie Sophia L (GRO reference: Dec 1909 Epsom 2a 33)

William A (GRO reference: Sep 1911 Epsom 2a 68)

Margery KF (GRO reference: Dec 1913 Epsom 2a 58)

26 Gilbey Road, Tooting in November 2008

In the 1901 census Edward and Ada were living at 26 Gilbey Road, Tooting with their first two daughters, Katie aged 1 and Margaret aged 2 months. Edward was working as a carpenter and joiner.

I have been unable to find any service or pension record, but it is recorded that Edward enlisted in Kingston, and as he received the 1915 star he was a volunteer, as conscription did not start until early 1916. Edward was sent to France on 25 September 1915 and served in the 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment which was in the 72 Brigade 24 division.

On 3 September 1916 the 9th East Surrey's were in front line trenches on the eastern edge of Delville Wood. The 7th Division to their right were ordered to attack the nearby village of Ginchy. In order to assist the 7th Division the East Surreys attacked two enemy trenches to the north west of Ginchy, Ale Alley and Beer Trench. The attack on Ale Alley commenced at 12 noon, supported by heavy artillery from the rear, a Stokes' gun and a 2 inch trench mortar firing smoke. The attack failed to take the trench but a large number of the enemy were killed. As soon as the 7th Division started its attack on Ginchy the enemy opened a terrific bombardment on Delville Wood causing the Battalion many casualties.

On 3 September 1916 the 9th East Surrey's had 43 men killed including Edward Friday, who is commemorated on Pier 6 Face C of the Thiepval memorial to the missing.

Edward's death certificate (Click to enlarge)

Edward was awarded the 1915 star, British war medal and the Victory medal. His medal card states that Mrs A Friday applied for the medals whilst living at 30, East Street, Epsom.

After the war Edward's widow Ada had another child Clemo Frank Tressell Friday, born on 21 January 1919 (GRO reference: Mar 1919 King Epsom 2a 37). The father was not named on the birth certificate. Clemo served in the Second World War as a Sergeant in the East Surrey Regiment, and later died on 4 April 1944 whilst a Japanese POW.

On 10 August 1920 Ada Mary married Lionel George Deane in Epsom. They had no children. Ada died on 4 March 1946 at 30 East Street, Epsom.

The St Martin's Church Roll of honour states "EDWARD FRIDAY, was killed in action in France on the 3rd September 1916".

EP SM

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FRIDAY Lewis James, Private. 82256.

101st Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC).
Died of wounds 25 May 1917, aged 47.

Lewis's headstone in the Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St.-Marc

Lewis James Friday was born in 1870 (GRO reference: Jun 1870 Medway 2a 454) to Alfred James and Kate Friday (nee Copping). Lewis James was actually registered James Lewis, but it seems he preferred Lewis as his first name.

In the 1871 census the family lived at Grange, Gillingham. Lewis' father was a 37 year old agricultural labourer. His mother Kate was 34, and he had three siblings, Mahala Elizabeth aged 10, Alfred James aged 5 and Emily Ann aged 11 months.

In 1881 the family lived at East Court, John's Place, Gillingham, where Lewis was an 11 year old scholar.

By 1891 the family lived at Sharps Green, Gillingham, and Lewis was a 20 year old carpenter's apprentice.

Then in 1901 Lewis was living at his sister's house at 78 Gordon Road, Gillingham. He was described a carpenter working from home.

By the 1911 census Lewis was working as an asylum attendant at Horton Asylum.

Lewis, aged 40, attested at Epsom on 29 November 1915 into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). He lived at 28 Upper Court Road, Epsom, and was a male nurse at Horton War Hospital. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 154 lbs, had six vaccination marks on his left arm, and had a chest measurement of 36½ inches with an expansion of 4 inches. His physical development was described as fair, and he had perfect vision in both eyes. His religion was Church of England.

Lewis did not marry, and gave his next of kin as his sister Mahala Elizabeth Jordan of 28, Louisville Avenue, Gillingham.

A typical horse drawn RAMC ambulance Wagon

Lewis served in the 101st Field Ambulance in the RAMC, which was attached to the 33 Division. A Field Ambulance in the context of the Great War was not how we would think of an ambulance today, as simply a vehicle for conveying wounded. During the Great War it was a unit of around 230 men under a Lieutenant Colonel, each Division in the army having its own Field Ambulance. The Field Ambulance was organised into three sections, A, B and C, with each section looking after a Brigade within the Division. Each section was then further organised into two sub sections, given the self explanatory names of bearer and tent. They had to be highly mobile, ready to advance or retreat, dependant on the movements of the infantry they supported.

A typical RAMC Motor Ambulance

The British Army medical system established a chain of units which started with first aid in the front line, all the way back to hospitals in England. Men wounded in the front line would be given immediate first aid by regimental stretcher bearers from his own battalion or by RAMC personnel attached to the battalion. He would then be carried back to the Regimental Aid Post, which might be in a building if any were left standing or a dug out. Anywhere just behind the front line that might give some degree of cover. Here the Medical Officer (MO) would reassess the casualty and administer a wider range of first aid, re-bandaging or splinting etc as appropriate. At some point along the evacuation route the regimental stretcher bearers would hand over to stretcher bearers from the Field Ambulance who would carry the man back to the Advanced Dressing Station, which was run by Field Ambulance personnel.

The next stage in the evacuation was the Main Dressing Station, run by the Tent Sections of the Field Ambulance. The Main Dressing Station had tented accommodation for around 150 beds. Casualties were then moved further back to Casualty Clearing Stations run by the RAMC, then to Base Hospitals miles away from the firing line, or even via hospital ship back to England. England was known to the troops as Blighty, and a wound severe enough to need their evacuation to England became known as a 'Blighty one'. A detailed description of the medical services in the Great War can be found at www.ramc-ww1.com.

The band of the 101st Field Ambulance c1918.
Seated on the ground on the far left is Private Frederick Smith.
It is believed that Lewis Friday was not a bandsman, but he would
have known some, if not all the bandsmen in this splendid photograph.
Image courtesy John T Smith, son of Frederick Smith."

Before being sent to France on 26 July 1916, Lewis acquired a slight blemish on his service record. On 13 June 1916 he received seven days 'confined to barracks' for improper conduct by removing wood, the property of hut 44, and then making a false statement to a NCO.

Lewis was twice mentioned in the 101st Field Ambulance war diary. The following are extracts from the war diary:

RIBEMONT SUR ANCRE 3.8.16 10 p.m. The following arrived to replace casualties: 80634 Pte FINN W G, 62010 Pte FLYNE M, 102326 Pte FITTON E, 62011 Pte FOLEY T, 80263 FITZER E R, 80080 Pte FREEMAN G, 82298 Pte GREGSON H H, 82258 Pte FRIDAY L J.

ADS St LEGER 23.5.17 Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commander-in-Chief has awarded the Military Cross to Temp Capt A G NAISMITH RAMC.

ADS St LEGER 24.5.17 Nothing of importance.

ADS St LEGER 25.5.17 39799 Sgt KERSHAW proceeding to the 3rd Army Rest Camp EQUIHEM. 66630 Pte TUCKER C evacuated to CCS from VII CRS. 82256 Pte FRIDAY L J was wounded in action on 23rd and died on the 25th.

Lewis died on 25 May 1917 in number 20 Casualty Clearing Station from a shell wound to his stomach, and is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St.-Marc, France, a few miles south of Arras. At the time Lewis died the 33 Division was attacking the Hindenburg Line.

His personal effects were despatched to his next of kin, his sister Mrs. ME Jordan, and consisted of his pipe, wallet, cigarette case, purse, pouch, 2 pencils, 2 German buttons, strop, scissors, pocket knife, awl, wrist watch and an 18 carat gold ring.

On 15 December 1919 the Clerk of Horton hospital wrote to the RAMC Officer in charge of records seeking information for publication in the London County Council (LCC) Roll of Honour. The information supplied was:

1. He served in the R.A.M.C. 101st Field Ambulance.
2. He served in France from 26 July 1916, to date of death 25 May 1917.
3. He was awarded the British War medal and Victory medal.

As late as 29 March 1926 the Clerk of Horton Hospital wrote to the Officer in charge of RAMC records in Woking stating that a letter he had sent to Lewis' next of kin had been returned marked 'unknown', and could he supply her latest address. The new address was duly supplied.

Lewis is remembered on the Ashley Road memorial, and also appeared on the Long Grove Hospital memorial which was lost when Long Grove closed and became a housing estate.

With thanks to John T Smith for providing additional information.

EP LGH

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Katie Frances		(GRO reference: Mar 1900 Wandsworth 1d 851) Died 1906 aged 6.
Margaret Annie		(GRO reference: Mar 1901 Wandsworth 1d 734)
Edward Albert		(GRO reference: Sep 1902 Wandsworth 1d 714)
Cecil Charles		(GRO reference: Jun 1904 Wandsworth 1d 733) Died 1904 aged 0.
Dorothy May		(GRO reference: Jun 1906 Wandsworth 1d 651)
Frank Walter		(GRO reference: Jun 1907 Wandsworth 1d 723)
Elsie Sophia L		(GRO reference: Dec 1909 Epsom 2a 33)
William A		(GRO reference: Sep 1911 Epsom 2a 68)
Margery KF		(GRO reference: Dec 1913 Epsom 2a 58)