FREDERICK STRINGER

Laid to rest at the Field of Honour

Born: 21st March 1887, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Baptised on the 7^th April 1887, at St. Anne’s Church, Willenhall.

Died: 2nd August 1915; age: 27; died of shrapnel wounds to the shoulder and Septicaemia, at Broadwater Hospital, Belstead Road, Ipswich.

Residence: 41, Wellington Place, Wednesfield Road, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Occupation: Miner.

Date of Entry Therein: 12th August 1914.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 8705.

Regiment: Worcester Regiment, 3rd Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

Grave Reference:

BA.I.32.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

CENSUS

1891   Calves Croft, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Frederick was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

James Stringer, 44, a Core Miner, born Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Sarah Ann Stringer (James), 44, born Willenhall.

Enos Stringer, 19, a Miner, born Willenhall.

James Stringer, 17, a Carter, born Willenhall.

Thomas Stringer, 15, born Willenhall.

Sarah Ann Stringer, 13, born Willenhall.

George Stringer, 9, born Willenhall.

Harry Stringer, 5, born Willenhall.

Harriet Stringer, 10 months, born Willenhall.

1901   Wellington Place, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Frederick was 14 years old and living with his widowed father & siblings.

James, 53, Miner.

Enos, 29, a Miner.

Thomas, 25, a Miner – Loader at the wharf.

Sarah, 23.

George, 19, a Rim Latch Maker.

Harry, 16.

Harriet, 11.

Annie Stringer, 10, born Willenhall.

1911   28, Spring Vale Street, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

Frederick was 22 years old, a Loader – Underground – Coal Mine. He was living with his father, siblings & nephews.

James, 68, a Labourer.

Thomas, 36, a cripple.

Sarah, 35.

Harry, 24, a Collier Loader – Underground – Coal Mine.

Clifford Stringer, 8, born Staffordshire.

Jack Stringer, 1, born Staffordshire.

Frederick’s mother, Sarah Ann Stringer, died in 1899, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

In 1912, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Frederick married Emma Brown (nee Patent), of 41, Wellington Place, Willenhall, Staffordshire, born February 1881, Willenhall – daughter of Sarah and John Patent, a coal miner, of Willenhall.

Emma and Frederick had two children:

Sarah Ann Stringer, born March 1912, Willenhall.

Frederick Stringer, born October 1915, Willenhall.

In 1904, Emma was first married to Harry Brown. Emma and Harry had two surviving daughters. After Harry’s death, Frederick became their stepfather.

Louisa Brown, born December 1904, Willenhall.

Dorothy Brown, born May 1906, Willenhall.

Soldiers’ Effects to Emma Stringer – widow.

In August 1915, widow Emma and her four children were accepted by the committee of the Cannock Chase and Pelsall Miners’ Relief Fund to receive a grant for relief and help.

In 1922, Frederick’s widow, Emma Stringer and his brother, Harry Stringer, married.

Frederick is remembered on the Willenhall war memorial at Stafford Street, Willenhall, Staffordshire.

E.A.D.T. – Saturday, 7^th August 1915 – A SOLDIER’S FUNERAL – INTERMENT IN THE “ACRE OF THE BRAVE.” The funeral took place at Ipswich on Friday, 6^th August, of Private Frederick Stringer, of the 3^rd Worcesters, who died at Broadwater Hospital as a result of a shrapnel wound received at the Front. Frederick’s home was at Willenhall, Staffordshire. A full military funeral was accorded. The gun carriage upon which the coffin was borne to the Cemetery from Broadwater was preceded by a firing party with arms reversed, and followed by carriages containing Mrs. Emma Stringer – widow, Mrs. A. S. Stringer – sister, and several of the deceased soldier’s late comrades at Broadwater Hospital. The funeral service was conducted in the Cemetery Church by the Reverend W. A. B. Parkin, and at the graveside, the customary volleys were fired, and the “Last Post” sounded. The coffin was of polished elm with black fittings, and the breastplate bore the inscription:  “Private F. Stringer; died August 2^nd, 1915, aged 27 years; the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.” Floral tokens were sent by the widow and children, the brothers and sisters, neighbours and friends, comrades at Broadwater Hospital, and the staff at Broadwater. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Hastings and Son, of St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.