Frederick William Stretch

Story:
Frederick William Stretch was born on 16th October, 1894 in Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He was the son of Mary Stretch, a domestic servant. No father is recorded on the birth certificate. He lived with his mother at the home of her parents, John Stretch and Anne Stretch at Hooks Hill, Berwick St. John. Eventually his mother married Harry Smith about 1897/1899 (no marriage record has been found) but Frederick stayed with his grandparents. His mother, Mary, lived in Winton, Hampshire. At the time of the 1911 Census Frederick was single, working as a Farm Carter and living at Bridmore Gate Cottages, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire. He enlisted at Devizes, Wiltshire, as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 18741). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He died on 27th August 1915 and his name appears on Memorial 18, Union Street Graveyard 1 at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium. He is remembered on the Berwick St. John War Memorial.