FREDERICK FORDHAM

Born: 1893, St. Peter’s, Ipswich.

Died: 13th January 1918; age 24; Died of Wounds – Ipswich Hospital – from Gun Shot Would to left lung – received at Neuve Chapelle on the 11th March 1915. Served 8 years & 9 days.

Residence: 14, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.

Enlistment Details: Date: 13th April 1908; age 15 years; Religion: CofE. Residence: St. John’s Children’s Home, Bloomfield Street, Ipswich. Height: 4ft 10 ins, sallow complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair. Next of Kin: Brother – Thomas Fordham – 2nd Rifle Brigade, Shahjahanpore, India.

Service: Fort William, Calcutta, India – 16th December 1909. Attained 18 years old – 28th March 1911. Darjeeling – 22nd November 1911. Served 6 years – India. 5 months – France – 5th November 1914 – 28th March 1915.

Offence: In arrest 5th July 1912, convicted by civil power of an offence under section 380 I.P.C. and sentenced to 3 months simple imprisonment. Sentenced expired 1st November 1912.

In arrest 4th March 1913, convicted by civil power of an offence under section 406 I.P.C. and sentenced to 3 months rigorous imprisonment, of which 7 weeks shall be in solitary confinement and fined Rs 24/- or in default 1 months further rigorous imprisonment. Returned to duty from 16th August 1913.

Discharged: 21st April 1916 – aged 23 years – Gun Shot Wound to left lung – Haemoptysis & losing weight – total Disablement – Future is Grave. Character on discharge – Good. Discharged to 14, Woodhouse Street, Ipswich.

Rank: Rifleman; Service Number: 2775

Regiment: The Rifle Brigade, ‘F’ Coy, 5th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: 1914 Star & Silver War Badge.

Grave Reference:

BA.IA.13.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Abraham & Charlotte Fordham.

CENSUS

1901   3, Turret Buildings, Turret Lane, Ipswich.

Frederick was 8 years old and living with his widowed father & sisters. They were living with another sister and her husabnd.

James Rundle, 38, an Iron Founder, born Deptford, London.

Sarah Maud Rundle (nee Fordham), 29, born Ipswich.

Abraham Fordham, 47, a General Carman, born Bradfield, Essex.

Louisa Fordham, 15, a Domestic Servant, born Ipswich.

Rose Fordham, 12, born Ipswich.

Frederick’s mother Charlotte Fordham (nee Clarke) was born April 1852, Mistley, Essex – died August 1898, 9, Turret Buildings, Ipswich. His father Abraham Fordham died 1904, the Union Workhouse, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Soldiers’ Effects to Ernest Fordham & Thomas Fordham – brothers and Mary Ann E. Fordham & Sarah Maud Rundle – sisters.

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10^th – 13^th March 1915 was the first planned British offensive of the war. The objective was to take the German line at the Village of Neueve Chapelle and break out and head towards the City of Lille, with the main objective taking the Aubers Ridge beyond which was of strategic value. The Battle started well with a heavy bombardment of the German line (more shells fired on this occasion than the entire Boar War) with an advance which successfully took most of the first and second line trenches, but due to poor communications stalled once the village had been taken. The Germans then had time to set up more defensive lines outside of the village and hold the British advance. 40,000 British and Indian troops took part in the Battle with over 10,000+ Casualties.

The Rifle Brigade, ‘F’ Coy, 5th Battalion: