Frederick Edward Darkins

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Frederick died on 19th of October 1918 aged 38. 

Frederick was born at Somerleyton on 23 February 1880, a son of Edward John and Harriet Darkins. He was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, Somerleyton, on 11 April 1880. In 1881 his family lived at 6 Old Mill Common, Somerleyton. By 1891 they were living at The Marsh, Blundeston, and in 1901 at Park Cottage, Somerleyton, when Frederick, like his father, was a gamekeeper. 

In 1904 Frederick married Agnes Mahala Betts and by 1911 they were living at Eastgate, Cawston, Norfolk, and Frederick worked as a gamekeeper. Later Agnes lived at The Golf Club House, Walmer Road, Pakefield. 

Frederick and Agnes were living at Pakefield when he enlisted in the Army, at Bury St. Edmunds. Initially he served with the Suffolk Regiment, number 47902, before being transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment. 

Frederick was serving with C Company when he was taken prisoner on 8 May 1918. He was held at Dulmen camp and later at Metz. Frederick was still a prisoner of war when he died at Euskirchen, Germany. 

Frederick's brother-in-law, Cecil Betts, served with the Suffolk Regiment and was killed in 1915.