Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Frederick (Fred) was born in Berkhamsted in 1880 and baptised at St Peters on 26 Dec 1880. He was the youngest child of John Waller and Sarah née Mills. In 1881 the family were living in a cottage on the High Street near Swing Gate Lane. At this time his father was employed as a Gardener. By 1891 they had moved to Cross Oak Road and John was working as a journey man fishmonger. Fred attended the National School and was awarded a scholarship at the Bourne School in 1892. By 1901 Fred and his father were both general labourers and lived at 57 Charles Street. Fred married Ellen Elizabeth Flitney at St Peters on 28 May 1904. He was recorded as a carpenter and lived at 10 Middle Road. Ellen’s address was 14 Shrublands Avenue. They had two daughters, Kathleen Lottie born in 1905 and Elsie Mary born in 1908.They also had a son, Tommy, who was born in 1913, but who sadly died in 1915.Tommy is buried in Rectory Lane Cemetery in plot 1015. By 1911 he was a wooden box maker at the Chemical works, living with his family in Provident Place, Berkhamsted. It is not clear when he joined the army but it is likely it was after May 1916 when conscription was extended to married men because he was placed in the Public Schools Battalion (this is indicated by the PS prefix to his regimental number) of the Royal Fusiliers. Little is known of his army career, we know from the medal rolls that he was in the 11th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers and then 9th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers attached to 87 Coy Royal Engineers. Both battalions were based in France. He received the British War medal and the Victory medal. He is showing on the absent voters roll in spring 1919, so was presumably still serving at this time. He died in West Herts Hospital aged 39 on 30 Nov 1919 and was buried on 5 Dec 1919.