Private Frederick Wade
| Date of Birth | 29 April 1893 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 25 |
| Date of Death | 26 October 1917 |
| Service Number | 29088 |
| Military Service | 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment |
| Merton Address | 48 Robinson Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
Frederick was born in Islington on 29 April 1893. His father James Mark Thornhill Wade was a Zinc Worker and Plumber. His mother’s name was Elizabeth and the couple married in 1881. Frederick’s other siblings were William, Elizabeth, Annie and James. Unfortunately, Frederick’s mother died in 1881. James Snr. married Emma Burgess at St. Leonards Church, Streatham in 1899, so the children now had a new stepmother.
In 1900 Frederick was enrolled at Yerbury Road School, Islington, while the family were living at 4 Fortnam Road, Islington, where they still were at the time of the 1901 Census. By 1911 circumstances had changed, as Frederick and his elder brother William were now living with their stepmother Emma at 5 Furzedown Market, Tooting Junction. His father had been admitted to Long Grove Lunacy Asylum/Long Grove Mental Hospital in 1908 and lived there until his death in 1939. Emma moved to Tooting, as her family lived in the area. Frederick was employed as a Baker.
During World War 1, Frederick enlisted at Wimbledon on 12 December 1915 with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. His personal details were recorded as: Medical Category A2 (ie. Fit for dispatching overseas, as regards physical and mental health, after training). Height 5 feet 7inches. Weight 133lbs. Chest 36inches, expansion 3inches. The address for his next of kin was recorded as 40 Seely Road, Tooting, so the family had moved again. At some point he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment as a Private.
Frederick was killed during the first day of fighting at the Third Battle of Ypres, known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele (26 Oct – 10 Nov 1917). The battalion’s War Diary mentions the soldiers being bogged down in the quagmires that had formed due to heavy rains. Frederick was most probably one of the 126 men from his battalion who were missing on that day, as his body was never found. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, and locally at Christchurch, Colliers Wood.
As sole legitimate heir, Emma received Frederick’s last pay of £3. 7s, plus £3.00 War Gratuity, while she was living at 48 Robinson Road, Colliers Wood.