INCE, Freddy



No 252675, Private, Fred INCE
Aged 30


102nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Killed in Action on Monday, 9th April 1917


Freddy Ince was born on 3rd January 1887 in Clare (Risbridge Q1-1887 4A:642) baptised in Clare, St Peter and St Paul on 3rd April 1887, son of Alfred and Emma INCE. Their marriage registration and thus her maiden name have not been found. The only Alfred Ince marriage possibly is June 1884 Halstead to Emily ELLIS.

1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Cavendish Lane, Clare with his father Alfred INCE [41] groom/gardener; his mother Emma [40] born Belchamp; brothers Herbert [10], William [8] and Bertie [6]; sister Florence [2]. All except his mother were born in Clare. There were two other siblings, Harry [1879] and Fanny [1875] ( it seems his father was probably also born in Belchamp)

1901 census...Aged 14, errand boy at mill, he was in Station Road with his parents (mother now recorded as born in Clare); brothers Herbert (carpenter), Bertie (coach painter) and Ernest [8] born Clare; sister Florence.

1911 census...Not found in this census, possibly left for Canada. Alison Krohn has written that he worked as a carpenter on the railway at Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. His parents, sister Florence and brother Ernest (apprentice printer) were still at Station Road, Clare. One of the 9 children had died.


He lived in and enlisted in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada on 1st April 1916. He gave his date of birth as 3/1/1887, a farmer, son of Alfred INCE of Clare, England. He was 5 feet 8.5 inches (174 cm)tall, weighed 155 lbs (70.5 kg), chest 34" to 37" (86.4 to 94 cm), blue eyes, light brown hair,Church of England.

As No 252675 he was placed in the 209th Battalion. Embarked on 1st November 1916, arriving in England on 11th November. From Shornecliffe he was posted to the 102nd Battalion and sent to France on 6th December 1916. He was killed in action at Vimy Ridge, buried at 44a.S.22.a.8.3., 0.75 miles south of Givenchy en Gohelle. This grave was lost, hence the special memorial at Neuville St Vaast, Canadian Cemetery No.2


CWGC records show the battalion had 119 killed that day.


Fred buried about here




photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Fred Ince is commemorated on the special memorial in Neuville St Vaast Canadian No 2 Cemetery

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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