CGM Posted 11 June , 2009 Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Hello, Yesterday I was looking at the grave of this young man, who died on 6th March 1917, aged 22. It was a 'family' type of grave, but planted on it was a little wooden cross which looks to have had a poppy on it in the past. His first names were Frederick Hugh. Can anyone help with information about him? Regards CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 11 June , 2009 Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Hello CGM There are twelve Bohannans listed in the medal roll index, but none of them is an F H. The Imperial (later Commonwealth) WGC was not set up until April 1917, after he had died. This suggests that, if he was in the Army at all, he was porobably discharged prior to his death. But a death of a man aged 22 in 1917 does not necessarily mean that he was in the forces. The absence of a medal index reference indicates that he did not serve abroad in a theatre of operations. You can search the surviving service records (about 30% of the total, most of the rest having been lost in the Blitz in 1940) by going to the Kew website, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Select "Search the Archives", then "DocumentsOnline", then "Military History" and you will find the link you need. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 11 June , 2009 Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Frederick H Bohannan is listed on the death registers as having dying on the 1st quarter of 1917 aged 22 at a place named Steyning (dont know that one). Assume this was a civilian death David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apwright Posted 11 June , 2009 Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Birth registered in Chelmsford district Q2 1894. Son of Frederick & Ellen Jane (nee REEVE), in 1901 living at the White Horse Inn, Pleshey. Death registered in Steyning district Q1 1917, age 22 (Vol. 2b, Page 466). From the National Burial Index, he was buried on 9 March 1917. One brother, Geoffrey Walter, was Pte 48321 in the East Surreys. Other brother, Philemon George, was born Q4 1899, so probably too young to serve. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
better ole Posted 11 June , 2009 Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Steyning is on the road to Brighton in West Sussex, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 11 June , 2009 Author Share Posted 11 June , 2009 Many thanks everyone. Maybe the poppy cross, well, I don't really know why the poppy cross would be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 29 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 29 May , 2011 Occasionally over the last couple of years I've thought about Frederick and the poppy cross on his grave and had another look at the CWGC website or searched the internet, just in case there was some more information out there, but didn't find anything beyond birth, death and census results. I still haven't been able to find any service records or an MIC or a CWGC entry for this young man, but I am reviving this thread now as I do have some new information. 1) Just recently I totally unexpectedly found his Will on Ancestry. He was described as a gunner RFA died 6th March 1917 at the Borough Sanatorium Preston Brighton on active service. 2) I sent for his Death Certificate. It confirmed all the above except 'on active service.' Cause of death was Epidemic Cerebro-spinal Meningitis. Informant was the Acting officer in charge, 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Preston Rural. Registration was dated 8th March 1917 3) An entry in the Essex Weekly News, March 16th 1917, says Gunner F. Bohannon (it actually says Bohannon), 23, whose parents live at Pleshey, and who was formerly a baker at Witham, has died at Brighton from fever. I hope he can be submitted for possible CWGC commemoration but I have no service number for him and no service records. I have only found these 3 third party documents to support his case. I'm not sure that they prove conclusively: 1) He was not a reservist 2) He was a serving soldier at the time of his death. 3) If he had been discharged his death was due to (or aggravated by) his service. I have had help from Paul Evans, Librarian at the Royal Artillery Museum. Brighton was the home of the RH & RFA Artillery Reception Brigade, which was part of the officer Cadet training system, and unfortunately this unit did not maintain a war diary. This was home-based and many of the staff would not have met the criteria for Medal entitlement. My thoughts: 1) Did the Will come from his paybook? 2) Was he still serving, when he died in the military hospital? 3) Did he fall ill whilst at Brighton and if so was he likely to be a member of the permanent staff or passing through on the officer Cadet training system? 4) Did he fall ill elsewhere and Brighton was the nearest hospital? So many questions. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 30 May , 2011 Share Posted 30 May , 2011 Hi whist this may not help with his sevice details or answer any of your questions Fred can be found on the 1911 census a Baker at Waltham ( Witham re you post) details from `1911 census Name PATIENT, Anna Head Widow F 46 1865 Lets Lodgings Essex Little Waltham JOSLIN, Ruth Niece Single F 20 1891 Housemaid Essex Little Waltham JOSLIN, Leonard Nephew M 10 1901 School Essex Little Waltham AMOS, Ernest Boarder Single M 30 1881 Baker Essex Cressing BOHANNAN, Frederick Boarder Single M 19 1892 Baker Plesley Registration District: Chelmsford Sub District: Great Waltham Enumeration District: 6 Parish: Little Waltham Address: The Village Little Waltham Chelmsford County: Essex regards ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 30 May , 2011 Share Posted 30 May , 2011 CGM Does the death certificate list an occupation? Therein probably lies the key to whether there's a good case to be made to CWGC/MoD. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 30 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May , 2011 Hello Ray, Thank you for the extra information. It looks as though he first moved out from his parents home and took lodgings (I see with another baker) in Little Waltham (almost the next village to Pleshey). The bakery at Witham, depending on the exact locations, could have been up to maybe 10 miles away along winding country lanes so as he was working there by the time he signed up I suspect he changed jobs and lodgings between 1911 and 1917. Nothing proved but I will add it to the information in my file and maybe be able to find out more in the future. This has become a personal project of mine. Regards CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 30 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May , 2011 Hello John, Yes, under Occupation it says (Pleshey, near Chelmsford) Gunner RFA (Baker) Regards CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 30 May , 2011 Share Posted 30 May , 2011 BINGO! That works for me. The death certificate is providing proof that he was a serving soldier. We also have the additional supporting evidence that he died in a military hospital. His will provides evidence of his rank and unit (according to Terry D, the minimum information required by CWGC/MoD). Don't suppose there's any note of his service number anywhere. Do you wish to submit this yourself to CWGC or have IFCP do it on your behalf? If the latter, then get in touch with Terry to make arrangements for getting the documentation to him. Well done for your persistance. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 30 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 30 May , 2011 Thank you John! I will get in touch with Terry. Regards CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River97 Posted 31 May , 2011 Share Posted 31 May , 2011 Wow, how good is that - nearly two years in the pipeline. That would be something if it, and should, come off. Cheers Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 31 May , 2011 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2011 Thank you Andy. Can you imagine my feeling when his name appeared so unexpectedly - and, strangely, it was in the 1917 National Probate Calendar - and then my subscription wouldn't allow me to open it! Normally, when I wanted to look at entries I wasn't able to open I would go into the library next time I was in town, but this time I just couldn't wait, so I claimed an early Christmas present ( ) and upgraded. Not sure what I would find, I never dreamt there would be so much information. So much information. I've never experienced it before, but the saying it took my breath away can mean exactly that. I couldn't breath in. I was only in the churchyard because my camera club goes 'out with cameras' to local villages on Summer evenings and we always visit the churchyard. If he should fail to be commemorated by the CWGC he will be commemorated here. Regards CGM Link to the photo of his grave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 2 June , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 June , 2011 One brother, Geoffrey Walter, was Pte 48321 in the East Surreys. Adrian I wonder if someone can help me find the MIC or records for this brother. I'm finding it impossible to track them down. Many thanks CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmm45 Posted 2 June , 2011 Share Posted 2 June , 2011 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=1506960&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Spelling of names! make no wonder they didnt show on search Ady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 2 June , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 June , 2011 Oh, look at that! I tried so many combinations of Bohannan or Bohannon with Geoffrey or Geoffrey Walter or Geoffrey W or G W or - well you get the picture. And I just went and missed that one. Thank you so much Ady. CGM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 3 June , 2011 Share Posted 3 June , 2011 Should have just tried Bohann*n... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 4 June , 2011 Author Share Posted 4 June , 2011 Oh dear! A timely reminder to use wildcards. Many thanks David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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