Birth 1889, Froyle, Hants
Parents Dennis (died 1912) & Jane (died 1916) North
Residence Epsom, Surrey
Occupation  
Enlisted London
Regiment 71st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Regimental No: 41645  
Rank Gunner  
Service Record  
Death 4th April 1918, killed in action aged 29
Theatre of War France & Flanders
Commemoration Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France
Medals Victory Medal, British War Medal
Frederick North was born in Froyle in 1889. He was the son of Dennis and Jane (née Carter) North of Lower Froyle, but, in the 1911 Census he is lodging in the home of William & Emma Stanbridge at 24 Dene Street, Dorking.
By the time he enlisted in London, both his father and older brother had passed away - Dennis in November 1912, aged 72, and brother, Jesse, in the following January, aged 35. His mother, Jane, died not long after, in March 1916.
Frederick served with the 71st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, as 41645 Gunner Frederick North.
As suggested by their name, the Heavy Batteries of the artillery fired the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of the British Army and were situated some way behind the front line. My thanks to Chris Baker, from The Long, Long Trail, for allowing us to use this photograph from his collection.
60 pounder
A Heavy Battery of the RGA tows its 60-pounder guns along the roads of Northern France.
Frederick was killed in action in France on 4th April 1918, aged 29, possibly at the Battle of Avre. This battle started on that day in 1918 as the Germans made their final push towards Amiens in what was the fifth phase of the Battle of the Somme. It took place near the Avre River (hence the name) and is said to have been the first time in the war when both British and German tanks simultaneously faced each other.
Gunner Frederick North was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is laid to rest in Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Viller-Bretonneux, France, Grave III.A.11.