Frederick Charles Rickett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick Charles Rickett was the eldest son of Richard and Annie Rickett (neé Crow). His father Richard was born in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, Lincolnshire, in 1872, the son of Charles, a carpenter, and his wife Mary. His mother Annie Crow was born in Hough on the Hill, Lincolnshire, in 1871. They were married in 1894 and had five children, Frederick Charles born at Hough on the Hill in 1895 (reg. O/N/D) and four siblings who were born in Blyth: Walter Noel b. 25 December 1900, John Reginald b. 1903 (reg. 1904 J/F/M) and twins Albert Vincent and Kathleen Eva b. 11 November 1910. By 1901 Richard, a journeyman joiner, and Annie together with their two sons Frederick (5) and Walter (under 1 year) were living on Main Street, Blyth. The family was still living in Blyth ten years later in 1911. Frederick was an under-gardener at Blyth Hall, Walter and Reginald (7) were school age and the twins were about 4 months old. Their mother Annie, died in 1917 (reg. J/A/S), a year before her son Frederick's death. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Richard, now retired, was living in Lawson Square, Blyth, with two of his children, Albert, a school teacher who was serving in the auxiliary fire servicr, and Kathleen who was a baker's shop assistant. Richard's unmarried sister-in-law, Selina Crow (b. 1898), was his housekeeper. Richard's two other sons, Walter and John were married; Walter and his wife Sylvia (m. 1929) were living in Ranskill and John and his wife Beatrice (m. 1937) were living in Blyth. Richard died in 1947; his home was still at Lawson Square. Administration of his estate was awarded to his sons Walter and Reginald.
Rickett was initially number R/17588 in the 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps, then transferred to the Royal Fusiliers and was posted to 4th Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). The 4th Battalion served with the BEF France from 13 August 1914. Frederick attested in 1915. According to a newspaper report of his death, Frederick was wounded, probably in 1916, and was transferred to England for treatment, returning to France in 1917. He was killed in action on 28 August 1918 and is buried in the Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-Sur-Somme, France (grave ref. II. F. 36). The history of the cemetery (see below) suggests that Frederick's grave may have been brought into the cemetery after the Armistice. CWGC - History of Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery (extract): the village of Bray-sur-Somme is 8 kilometres south-east of Albert. 'The cemetery was begun by French troops in October 1914, but little used by them. It was used by Commonwealth troops from August 1915 to February 1917, particularly during the Battle of the Somme, when the XIV Corps Main Dressing station was at the farm. During the retreat and advance of 1918, further burials were made and after the Armistice, graves of March, August and September 1918, were brought in from the fields between Bronfay Farm and Bray.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Not left to lie like fallen tree not dead but living unto thee.' Quotation from the hymn, ‘God of the living, in whose eyes unveiled Thy whole creation lies,' based on Matthew 22:32. Words John Ellerton, music 'Melita', John B Dykes. Worksop Guardian 20 September 1918: 'Lance-Corpl Charles Rickett. Blyth received another shock on Wednesday morning, when the news of the death in action of Lance-Corpl Charles Rickett came to hand. The whole village mourns his loss greatly. The Vicar of Blyth, the Rev. A Phillips, has paid a very warm tribute to the soldier. “We regret to hear,” he says, “of the death of yet another Blyth soldier, Charles Rickett. He was a beautiful character, everybody liked him and respected him, and great will be the sympathy offered by all to Mr H Rickett, his father in his great sorrow. Lance-Corpl Rickett had served some three years. The war had taken a heavy toll, but the memory of these brave and gallant men, will long remain in the glory of the village and Blyth will feel how honourable the part she has played in this great crusade by freeing the world from tyranny. Charles Rickett having nobly done his part is with God. May his example help us all to lead better and braver lives.” Lance-Corpl Rickett joined the Kings Royal Rifles in December 1915 and was wounded about two years ago. He came over to England for treatment and returned to France about a year ago. A distressing fact of his death is that he was killed on his 24th birthday [CWGC-23 years, b. 1895] and on the anniversary of his mother’s death [28 August]. He is the eldest son of Mr Rickett, and prior to joining the army was employed as a gardener at Blyth Hall.' Research by Colin Dannatt
