FORD, Frederick


No.DM2/155678, Private, Frederick FORD
Aged 29


Royal Army Service Corps
Died from Influenza at home on Sunday, 2nd February 1919


Frederick FORD was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q1-1890 4A:681), son of Frederick and Elizabeth FORD (née CHALLIS or BROWN).

1891 census...Aged 1, he was at 11 Peas Hill, Haverhill with his father Frederick FORD [28] domestic gardener; his mother Elizabeth [28] tailor's machinist; sister Emily C [8], Beatrice Ann [6] and Bertha May[3] and Harry [5]. All were born in Haverhill

1901 census... Aged 11, he was at 28 Burton End, Haverhill with his parents; sister Emily (trousers machinist), Beatrice and Bertha (domestic nurse); brothers Harry (baker's assistant) and Thomas [8] born in Haverhill.

1911 census...Aged 21, under gardener domestic, he was at 28 Vine Cottages, Haverhill with his parents (father now head gardener, mother an overlooker in clothing factory); sister Emily (sewing machinist), Annie (Beatrice) and Bertha (sewing machinist); brothers Harry (foreman for baker/confectioner) and Thomas (shorthand clerk). His mother had lost 3 of her 9 children (she died on 24th August 1917).

On the "Living Relatives" Army form in December 1919 his father noted brother Thomas [27] at Spittlegate, Grantham, sister Emily Edith BIGHAM [36] at 31 Hamlet Road, Haverhill, Beatrice FORD with father and Bertha May TAYLOR at 44 High Street, Dunstable.

The pension card has his father at 28 Vine Cottages, Haverhill.

His brother Harry was killed serving in France in the Essex regiment in 1918 see here



He enlisted in Grove Park on 8th February 1916, and mobilised on 15th. He gave his age as 26 years 2 months, a motor driver, born and living in Haverhill with next of kin, father Frederick of 28 Vine Cottages. He was 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cm) tall, weighed 126 lbs (57.3 kg), chest 32" to 34" (81.3 to 86.4 cm). After military training he embarked at Folkestone for Boulogne on 17th March aboard "Invicta" and was posted to 651 MT Coy attached to 667 Siege battery, R.G.A. then posted to X Corps on 24th April 1916. He was then with 562 M.T.Coy from 27 Dec 1916 to 20 Jan 1917, then 406 MT Coy. He had leave from 8 Feb to 1st Mar and posted again on 25th March to 611 MT Coy. Leave again 31 Jan to 14 Feb 1918, then posted to 402 MT Coy 15th July, 611 MT Coy 30 September and 402 MT Coy on 12th October 1918.
He was on leave in England at the end of January 1919 when he died at home from Influenza at 2 am on 2nd February. His father notified all concerned.
The inscription for the two brothers on the family gravestone is Haverhill reads:
"Pte Frederick Ford…who died Feb 2nd 1919 whilst on leave from France. Aged 29 years…
Pte. Harry Ford…brother of the above who was killed while on active service in France…March 22nd 1918 Aged 32 years".




Frederick Ford is buried in Haverhill Cemetery grave T:27:313
and commemorated in the Old Independent Church, Haverhill

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


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