Frederick Joseph Blatherwick
1939: labourer (brickworks)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick Joseph was the youngest son of Arthur and Gertrude Blatherwick (née Barks).
Arthur was born in Hucknall Torkard, Nottingham, in 1876 and Gertrude was born in Rempstone, Nottinghamshire, in 1888. They were married in 1908 (reg. AMJ Basford) and had four children, George Henry b. 1908 (OND), John William b. 1912 and Lucy Elizabeth M b. 1914 who were born in Rempstone, Nottinghamshire (births reg. Loughborough), and Frederick (Fred) Joseph b. 3 December 1918 (reg. 1919 JFM) who was born in Dunkirk, Nottingham.
In 1911 Arthur, a farmer's son who was working on the farm, his wife and their son George were living on Wysall Road, Rempstone.
Arthur, who was still employed as a farmworker, Gertrude and their four children, George John, Lucy and Fred, were living on Bunny Lane, Keyworth, by 1921.
The eldest son, George, married Catherine E Foster in 1934 (reg. AMJ Chesterfield). They were living in Bingham when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled; no occupation was given for George who was described as 'incapacitated'. The record of one other member of the household remains closed but was probably that of their son, Clive H. (b. 1934 OND). George died in 1981 (reg. Rushcliffe) and his widow Catherine in 1998.
Lucy married Harold Chapman in 1935 (reg. OND Basford) and in 1939 they and their son Michael (b. 1939), were living on Lilac Grove Beeston. Lucy died in 1990.
Arthur and Gertrude and their two younger sons had moved to Basford, Nottingham, by 1939. Arthur was now working as a labourer at a brickworks as was his son Fred while John was a gardener.
John married Florence Hornby in 1940. He died in 1985.
Arthur died on 18 March 1950. His widow Gertrude died in 1973; the probate record gave her adress as Birkin Avenue, Ruddington.
Frederick served in the 31st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, which served in North Africa and the Middle East until December 1943.
He was killed at Cyrenaica on 27 May 1941. Cyrenaica, in the eastern province of Libya, saw heavy fighting during the British Western Desert campaign in Egypt and Libya between 1940-1943.
Frederick was buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt (grave ref. 1.F.7). The history of the Cemetery indicates that his grave was brought in from the surrounding area.
CWGC history of the War Cemetery (extract): The Cemetery is about 12km from the Libyan border, adjacent to Halfaya Pass, and saw heavy fighting in 1941 and 1942. 'All of the graves in the cemetery were brought in from the surrounding area, including military cemeteries at Sidi-Barrani, Buq Buq, Fort Capuzzo, Bardia, Minquar el Zannan, and Camerons Burial Ground at Nibeiwa.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Arthur and Gertrude Blatherwick, of Ruddington, Nottinghamshire; husband of Gertrude Blatherwick.' Note: no record that Frederick Joseph married; presumably an error by CWGC.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'For King and country. We who loved never forget'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 May 1942: ‘Blatherwick. In remembrance of Frederick S Blatherwick, RA, killed in action, Middle East, one year to-day, May 27th. A beautiful memory. Loving mother, dad, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 May 1942: ‘Blatherwick. Fred, killed in action May 27th, 1941. Wonderful brother, only lent, one of the best God ever sent; cheerful smile, heart of gold, dearest brother this world could hold. Lucy [Chapman], Harold, and Michael.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 27 May 1950: ‘Blatherwick. Fred. Loving memories my dear son, killed in action, May 27th, 1941. Also dad, died March 18th, 1950. From all family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Deaths', 29 January 1990: Lucy Chapman. Notices placed by husband Harold, son Michael and wife Iris, and grandchildren (including a grandson named Fred).
Additional research RF (July 2026)
Photo of Frederick Joseph Blatherwick
Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt (www.cwgc.org)