Frederick Procter wh...

Frederick Procter while serving with the City of London (Roughriders) Imperial Yeomanry in 1908 Frederick, a bank clerk, was known as Fred. He joined the City of London (Roughriders) Imperial Yeomanry on 20th March 1908, signing on for 3 years, but only a fortnight later the Territorial Force was created, on 1st April, and so he was duly signed up (again) for the unusual term of 2 years and 355 days. He gave his address as 21 Helier Gardens, Brixton (matching the postmark). He attended annual training camps in 1908, 1909, 1910 and 1911. The photo probably dates to the 1908 camp (26th July to 8th August). By the time of the 1911 Census, his father had died. Susannah and four children (George, Esther, Fred and Ernest) were living at 75 Trinity Street, Lambeth. Fred married Alice Winifred Mabel Hodges in Lambeth in the summer of 1911. At the outbreak of war, Fred was embodied for service as a lance sergeant, promoted to sergeant on 5th Oct 14. He served on the Home Front and showed exemplary character. Discharged on 9th March 15. he joined the Navy two days later. From his RN records: Born 25th Jan 1884 in Brixton Bank Clerk S/N: F3487 Enlisted 11th Mar 1915 for the duration of hostilities Height 5ft 8.5in Brown hair, hazel eyes, fresh complexion Joined HMS President for a fortnight then transferred to HMS President II on 1st Apr 15 to serve onshore in armoured cars. He's rated as a Mec: (E). The next entry is a bit grainy but seems to read "Dardanelle Armoured" so he must presumably have served at Gallipoli (or at least been in theatre held in readiness for a breakthrough that never came). (His R.N. medal roll strongly suggests he served at Gallipoli, as he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star. His service record also makes reference to six further sources pertaining to Fred's "service in land operations", all within that space of 12 months.) His unit was disbanded and he left them on 9th Mar 16, rejoining President II. No further info. He was rated as very good character and satisfactory ability. He joined the Army and served in the Machine Gun Corps (S/N 2939), with whom he won the Military Medal, then transferred to the Tank Corps, joining them at Bisley. He was serving in 'D' Battalion as a sergeant (S/N 200822) when, sadly, he was killed in action on 4th October 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was 33. CWGC records show his mother was living at 60 Trinity Rise, Tulse Hill, and Fred widow, Alice, was at 31 Wharfedale Gardens, Thornton Heath A report in 4th Tank Bn War Diary refers to D5 Dakoit (manufacturer's number 2518), which was in No 2 Section of No.10 Coy and was commanded by 2nd Lieutenant John Hutcheson Wylie. The report says “The Crew Officer was wounded and the Sergeant killed in an attempt to unditch”. Frederick Procter was the only fatal casualty in what was otherwise an unusually successful attack. "D-5.(2/Lieut. J.H.WYLIE) started with Infantry at Zero. Proceeded to RETOUR X-ROADS and remained until Z plus 2 hours: thence to POKLCAPPELLE VILLAGE, arriving at 8-38 A.M. Cleared the BlOCKHOUSES in the Village, killing many enemy. Prisoners were handed over to Infantry. Ditched badly in attempting to clear a sniper Post. Fixed un-ditching gear but it was of no use and broke. The Crew officer was wounded and the Sergeant killed in the attempt to unditch" Massive thanks to the members of the Great War Forum for all of the information on Fred.

British

Yeomanry

between the 1908-01-01 and the 1908-12-31,Pre WW1

Jools Mckenna