Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1158
Frederick James Bathe was born on 23rd February 1884 in Newbury, Berkshire the son of Thomas (a Labourer) and Sarah Ann (nee Sharp).
In 1891 he was living at in Newbury with his parents and siblings Jane E & Stephen C.
He was at Gordon's from 1897 to 1899 and enlisted, in about September 1899, at Guildford in the Manchester Regiment as a Drummer. His Regimental number was 5827, (5888 was allocated on the 21st November 1889).
The period of enlistment at this time was usually for 12 years with the colours but in 1908 recruits were given the option to serve part of this time with the colours, typically 7 years, and 5 in the reserve. This option was also extended to serving soldiers.
On completion of 12 years soldiers could continue in service to complete 22 years and become an Army pensioner. Another option was to continue in the Reserves for a limited period, during which time he could take ordinary work but also draw a small Army payment.
In 1901 he was in Oudewarde Barracks, North Camp, Aldershot serving as a 17 year old Private in the 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
In 1908 he married Sarah Ann Barker, the marriage was registered in Ashton under Lyne in the 3rd quarter. The Regimental Depot was also in Ashton under Lyne.
In 1911 Sarah Ann Bathe was a 25 year old childless woman, who had been married for 2 years and living at 112 Railway Street, Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire. Frederick cannot be found on the 1911 census and was possibly in Ireland.
The 2/Manchester were in the Curragh Barracks, Kildare, Ireland when war was declared but the 1911 census does not give details of individuals.
By October 1911 he would have completed 12 years of service but he must have still been serving, or a reservist, when war was declared as he was in France with the Battalion on the 28th October 1914.
The 2/Manchester as part 14th Brigade, 5th Division went direct from Ireland to Le Havre, landing on the 17th August, which suggests that Fredrick was not with them in Ireland.
The 3rd Battalion were in India at the outbreak of war and it is probable that Frederick was in the “Reserve” in the UK and re-called into the 2nd Battalion when war was declared.
His medal card indicates that he landed in France on the 28th October 1914 and was a replacement for earlier casualties suffered by the 2/Manchesters.
The Division were part of the original BEF and involved in all the major battles of the early part of the war and led the advance at the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne, and La Bassee.
When the BEF moved from the River Aisne to Flanders in September 1914 the Division were positioned on the extreme right flank, to the east of Bethune and west of La Bassee.
“November saw the battalion occupying various positions in the Ypres/Messines area and in
X:\Development Office\Gordonians\First World War\1158 E F Bathe\wetransfer-b84c7b\Bathe F J.docx Revised 03/08/2016 Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1158
December the battalion in were in billets at Dranoutre. On the 5th they went back into the trenches at Wulverghem, the winter was cold and wet and the trenches were knee deep in mud, fighting activities were small but casualties occurred on a daily basis and several raids on the German lines were carried out.” Ref:- http://www.themanchesters.org
Frederick was serving with either “A” or “B” Company when he died on the 12th December 1914.
They had relieved C & D Companies during the night of the 11th/12th and he was one of two casualties that day, the other being wounded.
Frederick is buried at Kandahar Farm Cemetery with nineteen comrades who all died between 17th November and 15th December. The cemetery is near the village of Wulverghem.
He was entitled to the 1914 Star and Clasp, British War and Victory Medals.
His made a Soldiers Will and his Effects amounting to £3-9s-0d was paid to his wife Sarah Ann. She also received his War Gratuity of £5.
(His brother Stephen Checker Bathe served with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and survived the war).
Sources: 1, 2, 3(M), 7(a, b & c), 9, 11(a), 13, 14(a) & 15(a & b)
References 1. UK, Soldiers Died in WW1 (Details, often including place of enlistment) 2. Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Cemetery or Memorial) & relatives? 3. 1901 census (Military (M) or (C)) 4. 1901 census (Gordon Boys Home - Age only) 5. 1911 census (Gordon Boys Home - Age, place of birth and Trade) 6. 1911 census (Military (M) or Civilian. (C)). 7. Army Medal Card 7(a) - Rolls 7(b) - Effects 7(c) 8. Naval & Marines Medal Roll 9. www.1914-1918.net (Long Long Trail (Division, Regiment & Battalion dispositions – Chris Baker) 10. Service Record (some survived WW2 blitz - various state of damage) 11. War Diaries : (a) Various (Inf. Bdes. 5th Div.) 5th Div. Piece 1564:14 Inf. Bde. 1914-15. (2/Manchester) Other : Web site Manchester Regiment 12. National Archive Naval Records. 13. Army Service Numbers 1881-1914 - Paul Noble (Blog) 14. Gordon’s Records (a) The Children’s Society (b) 15. Maps: (a) Various (Inf. Bdes. 5th Div.) 5th Div. Piece 15604/1-3:14 Inf. Bde HQ (b) Part of Sheet 28 SW (MessinesRegion, Wytschaete Ridge) PC0243WW1MAP Digital Archive @ McMaster University Library World War, 1914-1918, Trench maps
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