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Frederick Alfred Hunt

A Private with 12th Bn., Frederick died on 31st of July 1917 at the age of 19. 

Frederick was born at Worcester in 1898, a son of Charles Arthur and Clara Hunt. He was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, The Tything, Worcester, on 13 July 1898, and his family lived at Cheshunt Walk, Worcester. In 1901 his family lived at 46 Ickleford Road, Hitchin, and by 1911 they were living at 150 Lincoln Road, Peterborough. Later his parents lived at 46 Denmark Road, Lowestoft.

On 3 September 1914 Frederick enlisted in the Army. He was working as a fitter, living at 37 Granville Street, Peterborough, and claimed to be 19 years old. He joined the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 13185. Frederick was posted to the 6th Battalion on 4 September 1914 and he was discharged, medically unfit, on 29 September 1914. 

Frederick enlisted in the Army for a second time. He enlisted at Northampton and joined the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 23955. He served in France from 20 June 1917. On 8 July 1917 he was transferred to the Royal Fusiliers, service number G/66386, and posted to the 12th Battalion and was one of a draft of 76 men who joined the Battalion at Henneveux on 10 July.

On 30 July the Battalion moved into assembly trenches in readiness for an attack the next day. They moved into trenches known as 'Rum Trench', Halifax Street', and 'The Belt'. 
The attack began at 3.50 a.m. on the 31st and the Battalion moved off at 3.55 a.m. They advanced 200 yards, following the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, but were held up by two strong points. These were cleared by the 1st Royal Fusiliers and the Battalion then passed through the 1st Battalion to Jeffrey Avenue. By this time the Battalion had lost seven officers. 
The Battalion pushed on to Bodmin Copse but as the day wore on they became held up. By 5.30 p.m. two others officers, including the Colonel, had been lost, and Captain Simpkins assumed command. The Battalion was now in a very dangerous position and subjected to heavy artillery fire. At 10.15 p.m. it began to rain heavily. The Battalion, now entirely stationary, was subjected to heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. At 11 p.m. the Battalion was relived and moved back to reserve lines in the Canada Tunnels where they remained until 3 August. 
Casualties for the day were nine officer killed or died of wounds; three officers wounded; 43 men killed; 169 wounded; and 60 missing.

The Army Register of Soldiers' Effects states that Frederick was killed in action at some point between 31 July and 3 August 1917. 

Lived at

Frederick Hunt
46
Denmark Road
Lowestoft
United Kingdom

52.4746702, 1.7485126

CountryOfService
United Kingdom
BranchService
Army
Regiment
Royal Fusiliers
ServiceNumber
66386
Burial/Memorial
Belgium
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 6.

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