Fred Gregory Bampton (1891-1917), soldier who died in World War One

Fred Gregory Bampton was a great grandson of Robert Thomas Ivall (1812-65), the brother of my ancestor David Ivall (1816-67). Fred’s grandmother was Jane Ivall (1841-71), who married John Bampton (1839-1908).

Fred was born on 3 March 1891, the third of four children born to John Robert Bampton and his wife Jane Maria nee Gregory who married in 1884. The family appear in the 1891 census living at 1 York Place, Chalvey (which is now a suburb of Slough). Listed were John Bampton (aged 27, hammerman in iron works), his wife Jane (29) and their children Mary (6), Clarence (4) and an unnamed son 1month old (this was Fred). The children were all born in Chalvey.

In 1901 the family consisted of John Bampton (37, a smith), Jane (39), Mary (16), Clarence (14), Fred (10) and Corrie (a son, 8 months old). Their address is given as 5 York Place, Chalvey.

Fred enlisted for the Royal Navy at Chatham on 8 October 1907, giving his age as 18 years old (he was actually only 16 years old). His Naval Service number was 366329. He is listed as having small tattoos on his left arm and a burn mark on his right ankle. He had been employed previously as ‘Houseboy in Brewery’. His naval record showed that :

8 October 1907 – 18 September 1908 he served as ‘Boy Servant’ on HMS Wildfire (this was the name of a shore establishment at Sheerness).

19 September 1908 – 30 September 1909 he served as ‘Officers Boy Servant Third Class’ on HMS Pembroke (the name given to shore barracks at Chatham).

1 October 1909 – 21 September 1910 he served as ‘Officers Cook Third Class’ on HMS Berwick (an armoured cruiser completed in 1903, assigned to the North America and West Indies station in 1909).

The last entry on his record sheet on 21 September 1910 was ‘Shore O.R.’ (on reserve).

The 1911 census shows Jane (49), Clarence (24, a carter in a gravel pit), Fred (20, a naval servant) and Corrie (10) at 5 York Cottages, Church St, Chalvey. The words “husband away” are written on the census return. The family were living in 4 rooms.

When the first world was declared in August 1914, Fred was aged 23. He volunteered to join the army and was sent to France, arriving on 28 April 1915 as part of the 3^rd Reserve Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was wounded twice but returned to active service with the 1^st/4^th Battalion.

Fred was killed in action on 15 February 1917 aged 25. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that he was a Private in the 1^st/4^th Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry at the time of his death. The War Diary of his unit is held in the National Archives at Kew. It says that the Battalion was providing brigade support 1500 yards East of Flaucourt on 15 February 1917. Flaucourt is a village about 4 miles West of the town of Peronne and was on ground gained by the French Army in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The war diary reads

“9.30am : Several hostile aeroplanes over, which were “strafed” by our Lewis Guns

10.15am : Shelling of neighbourhood of Battalion HQ commenced. This continued, without cessation till 1pm being particularly fierce for about the first ¾ of an hour. Several hundred shells were fired, principally 15cm Hows (Howitzers). Several direct hits scored on dugouts occupied by Bt HQ & C Coy (Company), also on a dump of French bombs on the road close by. Casualties killed 2Lt B.VOKES – from a shell which burst just outside entrance to C Coy’s HQ & 1 O.R.(Other Ranks) Wounded 5 O.R.”

In the margin it says

“2Lt B.VOKES C Coy killed

235012 Pte BAMPTON D Coy killed”

The names of the 5 wounded men are also given.

Fred is buried in the Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, which is about 3 miles North of Flaucourt. The cemetery contains nearly 600 dead from the 1914-18 war. It was enlarged after the armistice by moving dead from small burial grounds nearby. One of these was the Achille British Cemetery, Flaucourt on a trench about 1 kilometres East of Flaucourt. This was in use in February 1917 and was probably where Fred was initially buried. Hem Farm Cemetery is in a peaceful position surrounded by fields, just outside the village of Hem-Monacu and near the River Somme. 

Fred’s gravestone says “235012 Private / F G Bampton / Oxford & Bucks Light Inf / 15^th February 1917 Age 24.”

Hem Farm Military Cemetery

The following item appeared in the Deaths section of the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer dated 10 March 1917 :

“BAMPTON. – On February 15^th, Fred Gregory Bampton, late Private 2^nd Oxford and Bucks L.I., son of Mr and Mrs Bampton of 5 York Place, Chalvey, who was killed in action, aged 25 years.

No mother or father to see him die

No sister or brother to say “Goodbye”,

No friends or relations to grasp his hand,

But we all hope to meet in that better land.”

Fred's mother Jane was sent £5 1s 6d (his effects) by the Army in 1917 and a war gratuity of £9 10s in 1919. 

The medal card of Fred G Bampton records that he was awarded the Victory Medal, British Medal and 1915 Star. The first two of these medals were given to all British soldiers who fought in WW1. The 1915 Star was only awarded to those who fought in 1915 (those who joined when conscription was introduced in 1916 did not receive it).

Fred’s name is recorded on the war memorials at St Peter’s Church in Chalvey, St Mary’s Church in Slough and Kingsway United Reformed Church in Slough.

A further item was printed in Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer on the second anniversary of Fred’s death

“BAMPTON. – In ever loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Fred Gregory Bampton, late 2^nd Oxford and Bucks L.I., who was killed in action Feb 15^th, 1917.

It’s sweet to think we’ll meet again

Where troubles are no more

And that the one we loved so dear

Has just gone on before

Thy purpose, Lord, we cannot see,

But all is well that’s done by Thee.

Two years has passed, we miss his loving smile

Our hearts are aching, yet a little while

And we shall meet within the golden gate

God comfort us – God help us – while we wait

From his loving Mum, Dad, Sister and Brothers”