Private Frederick Matthews

Frederick was born in Earlsfield on 13 April 1897and was baptised soon after at St Andrews Church on 28th April. His family were from the Romany Gypsy Community and were living in caravans on a site in Wardley Street, Earlsfield. This area had been the home of the gypsy community for several years, due to the proximity of the River Wandle. Censuses showed that they worked here as flower-sellers, hawkers, dealers, general labourers, woodchoppers, cutlery grinders, boot repairers, horse handlers, sawdust dealers and musicians.

Frederick Snr was a Hawker, and his wife Cinny or Cinderella was a Flower Seller. The 1901 census records the address as Penfold’s Yard, Wardley Street. Their children were John 15, Henry 12, Geranium 8, Christopher 6, and William 2. Frederick was aged 4 at the time. Some of the elder children had been born in Mitcham. In 1902 Frederick was enrolled at the Garratt Lane Infant School.

The family moved around a lot, but are recorded as living at Seaton Road, Mitcham on the 1911 census. Additions to the family were Emily 9, Walter 5, Charlie 3 born Kent, and Teddy 8 months born Orpington. Most of the elder children working as farm labourers or flower sellers. Unfortunately, four of the couple's thirteen children had died young.

During the 1st World War, Frederick joined the 4th Battalion, London Regiment. His regiment took part in the 1st Battle of Arras (21 March – 5 April 1918). This battle occurred during the beginning of the German Spring Offensive. Sadly Frederick was killed on 28th March and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France, and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.

After the war, his father received his last pay of £10.0.7 plus the War Gratuity of £10.00.

Frederick’s brother Christopher died during the war, and his story is also told on the Carved in Stone Website.