Frederick William Shardlow
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick William was the son of William and Anna Emma Shardlow (née Clarke). His birth name was registered as William Frederick, he was baptised Frederick William but on the 1901 and 1911 Census he was named William. His father was born in Derby in about 1866 and his mother was born in Nottingham in about 1870. They were married at Nottingham St Ann in October 1887 and had 12 children, four of whom died in infancy or childhood. With two exceptions, all the children were born in Nottingham: Clara Elizabeth b. 1888, William Frederick b. 1890, Claude b. 1892 d. 1907, Rosa Ruth b. 1894, Frederick Charles b. 1896 d. 1896, Anna Emma birth registered 1898 (J/F/M), Frederick Charles b. Derby 1901 d. 1901 (reg. Nottingham), Gladys Selina M b. Derby 1902, Hilda b. 1904, Albert b. 1906, Doris b. 1909 d. 1910 and Frederick birth registered 1912 (J/F/M). At least five of the children, Frederick William, Claude, Rosa, Frederick Charles and Anna Emma, were baptised at Sneinton St Alban, Frederick William on 3 September 1895. He was living at 64 Norland Road, St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham, when he attested in December 1914. He named his father, William, of the same address as his next of kin. Frederick married Annie Skelton, a widow, at St Ann's church, Nottingham, on 9 May 1915. They lived at 51 Broad Oak Street, Corporation Street St Ann's Nottingham. His widow Annie was awarded a pension of 23 shillings and 9 pence a week with effect from 26 May 1919; she was then living at Cumberland Place, Park Row, Nottingham. Annie had remarried by December 1919 (George Smith, marriage registered J/F/M Nottingham) and was still living at Cumberland Place in 1920 and 1921 when she received Frederick's British War Medal and Victory Medal respectively.
'L' 29th TM Battery Royal Field Artillery Frederick William enlisted on 29 December 1914 on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of War). He was aged 24 years 3 months and employed as a town carter. He joined at Newcastle and was posted to the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner on 14 January 1915. Frederick may have been on a period of home leave when he was admitted to the War Hospital, Berridge Road, Nottingham, for 21 days suffering from catarrh; he was discharged on 15 February 1915. Frederick was posted to the BEF France on 9 September 1915. While serving with 'B' Battery 96 Brigade RFA he received treatment at No. 18 General Hospital on 24 September 1916 for a contusion to his back; the medical record noted that the injury had occurred at Delville Wood. After six days in hospital he was discharged to duty. He was then admitted to hospital ('sick') on 14 January 1917, returning to duty on 31 January. In February 1918 Frederick was posted to Y/29 TM Battery. He was awarded leave to the UK (sailing from Calais) in November 1918, probably landing in England on 14 November. Frederick was admitted to the Nottingham War Hospital, Berridge Road, suffering from pneumonia and influenza and died at 4am on 18 November 1918. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (03548). His army service record has slightly conflicting dates of his final period of service in November 1918. However, the likely periods at home and overseas are: Home 29 December 1914-8 September 1915 (254 days). BEF France 9 September 1915-13 November 1918 (3yrs (-) days). Home 14 November 1918-18 November 1918 (5 days). Note: this last period was when he was on leave and but for his death would probably have counted toward his period of service with BEF France. Frederick qualified for the 1914/15 Sar, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The Nottingham General Cemetery has 336 First World War burials. Many of those buried here were treated at Bagthorpe War Hospital and other city war hospitals. 'More than 100 of these graves form a war plot, with the names of the dead inscribed on an adjoining Screen Wall.' (www.cwgc.org)
Frederick's personal possessions were returned to his widow in May 1919. These comprised: 2 watches, cigarette case and cigarettes, one shilling, belt, pocket book, correspondence, housewife, two handkerchiefs, 2 forks, 1 knife 1 spoon, hair brush, comb, watch chain, ring, key, 2 jack knives, 2 razors, holdall, shaving soap, 2 shaving brushes, tooth brush, (other items illegible).
