Frederick Musham

Frederick was the son of Annie Musham. There is no reference to his father's name in his service papers. Frederick had an older sister, Clara, whose date of birth was given on the 1939 England & Wales Register as 18 December 1886 although there is a record of the registration of the birth of a Clara Musham Knight in 1886 (Nottingham) but in the first quarter (J/F/M) of 1886. From the information in the surviving documents from Frederick's service record, he was born in about 1893 and there is a record of the registration of the birth of a Frederick Musham in 1893 (J/F/M Nottingham). Neither Frederick nor his mother have yet been traced on either the 1901 or 1911 Census, but at the time he enlisted they were living at 6 Daykins Yard, Court Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, and the later CWGC record also gives this as Annie's address. An Annie Musham (b. 15 October 1866), 'widowed' and occupation given as unpaid domestic duties, was listed on the 1939 England & Wales Register living at 10 Burgess Terrace, Nottingham. Also in the household were George Lynes (b. 3 January 1915), a railway labourer, and his wife Hilda (b. 2 February 1916). Annie may have died in 1943 (death registered A/M/J Sheffield) age 77. Clara has not been traced positively on a census return before 1911. However, her name was included on a form listing Frederick's surviving blood relatives which was completed in 1920 by his mother for the Army. Annie gave only her name and Clara's who was 34 years old, married and living in Sheffield. Clara Musham married Albert Dodsworth 1907 O/N/D Sheffield. They had at least four children (birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as Musham): Albert 1908 (O/N/D Sheffield), Edna 1912 (O/N/D Rotherham), Frank b. 1915 (O/N/D Sheffield), Cyril b. 2 October 1918 (O/N/D Sheffield). In 1911 Clara (25) and Albert (23 b. Attercliffe), a miner, were living at 5 Albert Road, Parkgate, Rawmarsh, Yorkshire, with their two children Albert (2) and John Frederick (u/4m). However, Clara's address in 1920, according to the information provided by her mother for the Army, was 257 Don Road, Sheffield, and this was still her address when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled, although Clara was now a widow. She died in 1956 (J/A/S Sheffield age 70).

He was a machinist upon enlistment.

Nottingham

Musham's Army Service Record has partially survived and there are three separate records with a slight variation in documents. It appears that Frederick first attested on 10 December 1915 and transferred to the Army Reserve on 11 December 1915 before being mobilized on 24 October 1916. There are then documents showing he attested on 26 October 1916 in Derby, standing 5' 2" and weighing 105 lbs. His physical development was described as 'poor'. He gave his religion as Church of England. He served first with the Highland Light Infantry (64713) but was then posted to the Royal Scots on 7 July 1917. He was admitted to hospital with bronchitis on 10 October 1917 and was probably treated in Rouen. Frederick received a gunshot wound to the left hand in 1918; the dates are unclear but it is likely that he was wounded on or about 9 May 1918 and was probably treated at several hospitals that month until discharged to a rest camp before rejoining his unit. Frederick was killed in action on 6 June 1918. A note in his service record shows that he was buried in 'Sand Pits British Cemetery N. Labeuvriere 2.5 miles WSW of Bethune' - Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil (Grave Reference: II C 8).

Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother was his sole legatee. Musham's personal effects - letters, photos, religious books, cigarette cases, cards and rings were returned to his mother but there was apparently no trace of his watch which she was anxious to reclaim. Note: There is a record of the baptism of a Frederick Musham, who was born on 10 March 1893, at St Barnabus' RC [cathedral Derby Rd) on 21 December 1902. The baptism record named his parents as William Musham and Ann Knight of 18 Sun Hill, Nottingham. (Although Frederick's service record gives his religion as CofE). 1901 Census: 18 Sun Hill Nottingham: Elizabeth Knight (65) head - the household included her daughter Jane Knight and also Clara Musham (13 ie abt 1888) a lace clipper who was possibly Frederick's sister. Identification researched by David Nunn