Frederick James Tanswell

Story:
Frederick James Tanswell was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th July 1877 and baptised there on 26th August 1877, the son of Albert Tanswell and Mary Tanswell (née Hunt).  He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury area.    He married Ellen Massicks at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st April 1907 and set up home at 32 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury.  They went on to have five children. 

Frederick enlisted on 23 Aug 1917 and joined Royal Flying Corps (later becoming the Royal Air Force on 1st Apr 1918).  He became an Air Mechanic 2 (Service No. 93022) and was employed as a Tailor.   He served in France and Flanders from 20 Nov 1917 to 9 Mar 1919 eventually being discharged on 5th April 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 34 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, described as an out of work Journeyman Tailor.  His wife, Ellen, died in 1937 and by the time of the 1939 Register Frederick had moved to 2 Layton Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as incapacitated.   His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1961 and he was buried at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 13 Mar 1961.