Frederick H. Hockey…………………….
One of the candlesticks in the church of St Mary, Hadleigh is inscribed around the base In Mem F.H.H. fell in battle Sept:24 AD 1915
I believe it to be in memory of this man.
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Acting Corporal 2840 Frederick Hinton Hockey was Killed in Action on the 24th September 1915 while serving in France & Flanders with the Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry). He was resident Hadleigh and enlisted Armoury House. No place of birth is shown.
That man on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website is:-
Private HOCKEY, F H
Service Number:…………. 2840
Died:……………………… 24/09/1915
Unit:……………………….Honourable Artillery Company
Buried at BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cemetery/memorial reference: I. E. 7.
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/429788/hockey,-/
The Medal index Card for Acting Corporal 2840 Frederick H Hockey, Honourable Artillery Company is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/9/219983
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2895187
The card shows that he qualified for the 1915 Star, having first landed in France on the 15th August 1915. He was also entitled to the British War Medal & the Victory Medal. The card could possibly be interpreted that he was serving with the 1st Battalion. It has also been noted that he was “K in A 24/9/15”.
There are surviving service records for a Frederick Hinton who enlisted at Salford, Lancashire in the Royal Field Artillery, in 1914. He was then aged 34. Service number was 2840.
Source: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBR-D77D
1911 Census of England and Wales…….
The 29 year old Frederick Hinton Hockey, a single Professional Musician, (Church Organist), born Camberwell New Road, London, was recorded as lodging in two rooms at 7 Queen Street, Hadleigh .
The birth of a Frederick Hinton Hockey, mothers’ maiden name not transcribed, was registered with the Civil authorities in the Lambeth District of London in Q3 of 1880.
On the day……………………………
While the Battle of Loos would open on the following day, from his place of burial it looks like Frederick and his unit was stationed further north in the Ypres Salient.
BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
CountryBelgium
RegionWest-Vlaanderen
Location Information
Brandhoek Military Cemetery is located 6.5 km west of Ieper town centre on the Branderstraat, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge.
History Information
During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously and the Military Cemetery was opened early in May 1915 in a field adjoining the dressing station. It closed in July 1917 when the New Military Cemetery was opened nearby, to be followed by the New Military Cemetery No 3 in August 1917. Brandhoek Military Cemetery now contains 669 First World War burials.
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/50000/brandhoek-mil...
The following day would see “The Second Attack on Bellewaarde”, a diversionary action to support the Battle of Loos. The 3rd Divison, of which the 1st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company was then part would be involved. The other infantry battalions that with 1HAC made up 7th Brigade of the 3rd Division were the 3rd Worcesters, 2nd South Lancashire, 1st Wiltshire and 2nd Royal Irish Rifles – see www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions...
The War Diary for 1st Battalion Wilitshire Regiment has this entry on the 24th September 1915, which makes no mention of the HAC.
Fine. Orders for operations on 25th received. The Battn was to be in close support to RIR and 2nd S Lancs who were assaulting enemies trenches at HOOGE in front of BELLEWARDE LAKE.
Postscript…………………………..
Hadleigh website link: www.hadleighww1.com/roll-of-honour#/frederickhintonhockey/
Has much on how he came to Hadleigh, was the Church Organist and that the candlesticks were a gift from his fiancée who never subsequently married.)
For more about St Mary, Hadleigh see www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/hadleigh.htm
