Frederick J. Blackwall

Frederick Joseph Blackwall, was born in the third quarter of 1878 in the Hackney registration district of London.

In 1911 Frederick was working in Leatherhead, and living at Queen Anne's Terrace:
John Shepherd - head - age 37 - Assistant Ironmonger - born Leatherhead, Surrey.
Alice Shepherd - wife - age 40 - born Cobham, Surrey.
Phylis Shepherd - daughter - age 12 - at school - born Leatherhead.
Frederick Blackwall - boarder - age 32 - Cooper - born Hackney, Middlesex.

Frederick enlisted in Guildford, Surrey. His age was given as 38 years and 6 months, and his height was given as 5' 9".

His home address at the time of enlistment was given as 9 Lurke Street, Bedford, but it would appear that this was for next of kin reasons as this was also given as his Mother's address, and he was clearly still living in Surrey. His occupation at the time of enlistment was given as Cooper.

He enlisted with the Royal Engineers on 2nd March 1916, but wasn't called up until 25th January 1917.

Frederick was transferred on 20th September 1917 to be Private solider 41466 with the Hampshire Regiment.

He was re-transferred to the Royal Engineers on 14th November 1917 as Sapper 231087 with the 447th Field Company.

Frederick was reported missing on 27th May 1918. He died aged 40 on 9th October 1918 whilst a Prisoner of War in Hospital in Worms, Germany.

He is remembered at the Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery. Frederick is also commemorated on the War Memorials in Leatherhead, Surrey and at the Leatherhead Parish Church.

He was the son of William and Mary Ann Blackwall. William was already deceased when Frederick enlisted. 

After the war Frederick's mother Mary Ann was living in Hartford End, Felsted. By the time the Commonwealth War Graves Commission contacted her she was living at 5 Watch House Villas, Felsted.