Frederick George Knowles

A Private with the 1/4th Battalion, Frederick died on 31st of July 1917 at the age of 32. 

Frederick was born at Bushey, Hertfordshire, in 1885, a son of George and Eunice Knowles. In 1891 his family lived at Back Lane, Aldenham, Watford, and in 1901 at Latchmore Heath, Aldenham, and Frederick worked as a garden boy. Later his parents lived at Round Bush, Aldenham. In 1911 Frederick worked as a domestic gardener at Woodlands Park Gardens, Leatherhead, where he also lived. 

In late 1911 Frederick married Annie Rowe, this was registered in the Blything district. By 1914 they were living at Lowestoft. During World War One Annie lived at Crown Farm Cottages, Leicester, and then at 3 Briar Cliffe Cottages, Corton Road, Lowestoft. By 1921 Annie was living at Tudor Warren Road, Lowestoft.

Frederick enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 31434. Frederick was transferred to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, service number 35176, and posted to the 1st Battalion in France. Subsequently he was posted to the 1/4th Battalion.  

On 30 July 1917 the 1/4th Battalion moved into positions near Vlamertinge, Belgium, in readiness for their attack the next day as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. At 3.50 a.m. the 55th Division, of which the 1/4th Battalion were a part, began their assault. The battalion was not required to advance until 8.30 a.m. from the start of their advance they were subjected to enemy shelling, both high explosive and shrapnel, but the battalion were able to pass through this barrage. As they reached the German first line they faced no tangible resistance and noted that the trenches were badly smashed. The battalion continued to advance and were not particularly troubled either by enemy shelling or machine-gun fire and suffered very few casualties. The battalion advanced to the ‘green line’ and from this point most casualties, of which there were comparatively few, were caused by machine-gun fire. In this part of the advance several strong point had to be dealt with. The strong points as Somme Farm, Gallipoli Farm and Keir Farm were all taken and prisoners captured. By 11.40 a.m. the green line had been taken and consolidation commenced. Although the battalion’s advance had been successful, nearby units were forced to withdraw, and despite a shortage of ammunition, the battalion, with the help of a protective barrage, were able to hold their positions. 

The battalion’s casualties were:
Officers: seven killed, one died of wounds, two wounded and missing, two missing, eight wounded
Other ranks: 44 killed, 179 wounded, 77 missing

Frederick was reported wounded and missing and later he was presumed to have been killed in action on 31 July.