Frederick James Munnings

A Lance Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, Frederick died on 15th of November 1914 at the age of 34.

Frederick was born at Lowestoft in October 1880, a son of William David and Anna Maria Munnings. In 1881 his family lived at 37 Saint Peter's Street, Lowestoft. Frederick's father died and in 1884 his mother married George Smith. In 1891 his family lived at 111 Saint Peter's Street. 

Frederick attended Saint John's School and, from 4 May 1891, Saint Margaret's Boys School. 

Frederick joined the Army at Lowestoft on 16 September 1899, joining the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The 1901 Census shows Frederick with his regiment and shows that he was a Bugler. Frederick married Elizabeth Barnes at Saint Giles and Saint Mary's Church, Pontefract, on 5 October 1901. Frederick was an accomplished Cornet player and was awarded 36 medals for cornet playing. 

By 1911 Frederick was an Army reservist and worked as coal miner at Mansfield. Frederick, Elizabeth, and their children, lived at 31, 8th Avenue, Forest Town, Mansfield.

Frederick was mobilized when the war began and re-joined his regiment to serve with the 2nd Battalion. He joined the Battalion in Dublin. His Battalion landed in France on 16 August 1914 as part of 13 Brigade 5 Division. Frederick's battalion fought at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 and sustained around 600 casualties.

On 26 October 1914 the 2nd Battalion were occupying trenches at Richbourg L'Avoue near Bethune. The Battalion War Diary for 26 October has:

'Very heavy shell firing on our trenches today from early morning. D Company's trench was badly broken up for 40 yards. Men were buried alive. . . The shelling consisted chiefly of so called 'Jack Johnsons' the 738 lb Lyddite shell. 17 were killed and about 40 wounded.' Frederick was among the wounded having sustained wounds to his face and head. He was admitted to 14 Field Ambulance and soon transferred to Bethune for treatment. Later he was transferred to Boulogne where he died from his wounds. 

A brass plaque in Frederick's memory was unveiled at Saint Alban's Church, Forest Town, where he had been a member of the choir.

Frederick's step-father and several of his siblings lived at 28 May Road, Lowestoft. His cousin, James Munnings, was the Lowestoft Pilot.