Frederick Smith was living in Wickhamford in 1914 when he enlisted, describing himself as a labourer. He is remembered on the war memorial in Abbey Park, Evesham.
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Frederick Smith was born in Evesham, the fifth of eight children of William Peter Smith and his wife, Druscilla, who were marine store dealers.
As reported in The Evesham Journal of 26th September 1914 a man called “F Smith” was recruited in Evesham, but recorded as from Wickhamford, and joined the Territorials. The surviving records for this soldier are particularly complete. Private Frederick Smith (1877-1916) enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (No 9089) on 13th August 1914, with a claimed aged of 35 years 124 days. In fact he was born in the Spring of 1877 in Evesham, so was actually 37. The enlistment form records that he had previously served in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery. He arrived in France on 5th November 1914.
After transfer at some point to the 1st Battalion, Frederick was wounded on the 13th July 1916 in France, on the Somme. He died of injuries to his abdomen and back in hospital on 23rd July 1916 and is buried in the Étaples Military Cemetery (Ref XIV D 3).
Frederick’s widowed mother, Druscilla, of 11 Littleworth Street, Evesham, was sent his belongings and signed for them on 28th June 1917: two photographs, two pencils and a pipe. She also received and signed for, on 1st July 1919, his “1914 Star” medal.