Frederick William Dexter
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of William and Emma Dexter of 267 Windmill Lane Carlton Road Nottingham. He was the brother of Emma, Robert, who served as 44505 with 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters, and Mary Elizabeth (later Shaker) Dexter. His effects - form 118a - 31/1/18 - Wallet, photograph, postcards and 2 gospels - sent to Miss Clarice Newham, 13 Stewart Place, Alfred Street South Nottingham. His medals and plaque sent to mother Emma 22/10/1919.
Frederick William Dexter enlisted in the 7th Territorial Force battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) on 19 October 1908 and given the number 656. He was 17 years 8 months of age and 5 feet 5 inched in height. On 14 June 1909, aged 18 years 4 months Frederick enlisted in the regular army. He remained in the UK until 29 September 1911, when he joined the 1st Battalion in India. He contracted mild Malaria in May 1914. On the outbreak of war the battalion returned to England and after a month re-fitting and training, landed in France on 4 November 1914. On 11 March 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle he was wounded by a bayonet in his left hand and moved to 14 General Hospital at Boulogne. He returned to duty on 22 March. On 5 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, Frederick was wounded by a gunshot in his left leg and moved to 58 Field Ambulance, re-joining the battalion on 11 July. Also on 5 July he had been appointed Lance Corporal, followed by Corporal on 17 September 1916. On 24 January he was appointed unpaid Lance Sergeant and this was made paid a week later. Frederick was granted leave from 8 to 17 February 1917. For some unknown reason, on 28 June 1917 he reverted to Private at his own request. The Third Battles of Ypres began on 31 July 1917 with the Battle of Pilckem. Rain and heavy mists made the ground soft and boggy. At 3 - 50 am the attack began in front of Hooge, with the 1st Battalion waiting to pass though the first attackers once they had taken the their objectives, which despite nearly losing the protective barrage they did. The 1st Battalion passed through and attacked towards the 'black line' Once there they came under machine gun fire from Hanebeek valley around 700 yards away and also from Glencorse Wood on the right flank. The battalion had taken many prisoners and put a large amount of others out of action. Owing to the heavy machine gun fire, it was decided to move back to the shelter of Westhoek Ridge. Frederick William was killed at some point in the day, one of some 80 men to die that day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. John Morse
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