Frederick George Dredge

Story:
Frederick George Dredge was born in the Warminster, Wiltshire, Workhouse on 26 Jul 1891 and baptised in Warminster on 24 Sep 1891 the son of Clara Dredge.  Clara, Frederick's mother, married Walter Gray sometime in 1894 and Frederick thereafter became known for all purposes as Frederick George Gray.  The family lived in Watery Lane, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, until Frederick enlisted on 13 Jul 1908 and joined the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment (Special Reserve) (Service No. 6051).  He was actually embodied on 21 Oct 1908 and served in India.  At the outbreak of WW1 he was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery (Service No. 52967) and rose through the ranks to become Battery Sergeant Major.  He was posted to France and Flanders on 6 Nov 1914 where he remained throughout the war apart from a short break back in the UK.  He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the Field on 4 Feb 1917 near Berthonval Wood, Flanders (Belgium) when a British aeroplane crashed in flames and he attempted to save the observer from the plane, which was unsuccessful, but continued to remove guns, ammunition and equipment from the burning wreckage thus saving many valuable assets.  The award was announce on 14 Jan 1918 in the London Gazette.  He was discharged on 20 Oct 1920 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.  On discharge he moved to Ponders End, Middlesex.  He had married Elsie Lamb at St Matthew's Church, Enfield, Middlesex, on 2 Oct 1920.  He applied to join the Metropolitan Police in January, 1921 and by the time of the 1939 Register was living at 63 Church Road, Enfield, Middlesex, working as a Police Constable.   His death was recorded in Edmonton, Middlesex, during 1963.  His brother, Walter James Dredge (Gray), also served and survived the conflict.