Pte 17592 Frederic William Hiatt

• Age: 26
• From: Leigh, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Frederic William was born on 09th August 1890 in Glazebury, near Leigh, Lancashire, the son of Francis Hiatt and his wife Fredricka Elizabeth (nee Frost). He was baptised on 26th November 1890 at St. Dunstan's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. The baptismal records show the family were living at 57 Wavertree Vale and his father's occupation is stated as a Nurseryman. Based on information provided in the 1911 census, his parents married in about 1884, but no marriage record has been found as they did not officially marry until 1926 in Birkenhead. They had nine children, and lived in the Leigh area, where their first four children were born: Francis Edward, Florence, Fred, and Evelyn Clara. They lived for a short time in Chester, where John Ernest was born in 1894, and by the following year had moved to Liverpool. Two sons, both called Reginald, were born in 1895 and 1896, but sadly both died young. The two youngest were also born in Liverpool, Sydney Kenneth in 1897 and Eric Stanley in 1904.

In 1899 Frederic was enrolled to St Margaret's School, Aigburth.

The 1901 Census shows 11 year old Frederic living with his parents and siblings at 34 The Willows, Everton. His father, Frank, is a Chartered Accountant born in Chester in 1863, whilst his mother Fredricka was born in Liverpool in 1865. He has 5 siblings listed; Frank Edward b. Leigh 1887, Florence b.Leigh 1888, Clara b. Leigh 1893, John Ernest b. Chester 1894 and Sydney b. Liverpool 1897.   

Frederick William Hiatt, born in Leigh, Lancashire, on 09th August 1890, joined the Royal Navy on 26th September 1907 as a Boy, II Class, giving his occupation as errand boy. When he reached the age of 18 in 1908, he signed on as an Ordinary Seaman for 12 years.

He is described as having brown hair, blue eyes, and a fresh complexion, with a scar on the left side of his head. He has multiple tattoos: a Union Jack on his left forearm, a dragon on his right arm, an ensign with "S.18" in the centre, a skull and crossbones, and "Death & Glory" on a scroll with a spray of flowers.

His naval record shows service in H.M.S. Bulwark, and the entry "Run"  07th April 1909, Queensferry, i.e., deserted. Queensferry is most likely the naval base near Edinburgh.

After cutting short his naval career, he joined the merchant navy. In February 1910 F. Hiatt age 19 is a cabin steward on the "Rose of England", a fishing boat with a crew of 18, "Trawling in the Irish Channel, North Sea, and Coast of France".  His character and ability are noted as very good.

His eldest sister Florence married Ernest Halpin in 1908.
 
On the 1911 census the family are living at 8 Sybil Road, Walton. For reasons unknown, his father gives his name as Frederick Halpin and all family members are listed with that surname, the census form filled in and signed by his father, who is 47, born in Chester, an accountant working on his own account. His mother Frederica E. is 45, born in Liverpool. Francis Edward, 24, is a government postal clerk; Frederick William, 20, is a ship's steward, Evelyn Clara, 18, is a dressmaker, and John Ernest, 17, is a pawnbroker's assistant. Sidney Kenneth 13, and Eric Stanley, 6, are at school. (By 1921 they are listed on the census as Hiatt.)

He enlisted on the 03rd September 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17592. He gave his age as 24 years and 25 days and his occupation as a clerk. Another page of his record gives his occupation as seaman. He was described as being five feet six and a quarter inches tall, weighed 134lbs, 35" chest with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England. Also noted in his description are "various tattoo marks each arm". In response to the question, Have you ever served in any military force (including the Royal Navy), he states, No. He gives as next of kin his father Francis Hiatt, 77 Moss Grove, Lodge Lane, Liverpool. 

Formed on 7^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

02.10.15: At Larkhill Camp. Absent without leave 2.1.0.15-7.00pm 4.10.15. Confined to barracks for eight days and forfeit three days pay.

07.11.15: Embarked for France from Folkestone with his battalion. 

He died of wounds received during action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 26, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive. 

19^th Battalion Diary 

MALTZ HORN FARM

BATTLE begun. ZERO hour 4:45 am. The Battalion reached its objective, but suffered heavy losses, and had to evacuate its position owing to no reinforcements.

Everard Wyrall gives details of the attack in his book The History of The King’s Regiment; 

"The 2nd Attack on Guillemont- 29th July 1916 the 89th Brigade the 20th King's were to attack on the right and the 19th on the left. During the evening of the 29th the night was dark and foggy when the Battalions moved off and the 19th with Lt Col G Rollo commanding, when passing the South east of the Briqueterie they were heavily shelled first with H E and then with a new kind of asphyxiating Gas shell which had curious results, at first it had no nasty effect but about 8 hrs later men began to fall sick with violent headaches and pains in the stomach. All ranks had to wear gas masks which in the darkness and mist made the going terribly difficult. It was indeed wonderful that they were able to reach their Assembly point at all. But they did and by 2.45 a.m. on the 30th July 1916 the Btn was assembled having suffered about 30 Casualties on the way up ready for the Zero hour at 4.45 a.m.

It is known that the two left Companies of the 19th under Capt. Dodd and Capt. Nicholson advanced in touch with the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers on their left although they suffered many casualties from Machine gun Fire did not encounter many Germans and reached their final objective about the time allocated, beginning at once to dig in south of the orchard on the South east corner of Guillemont.  

On the left of the 19th the Scots Fusiliers most gallantly forced their way through Guillemont to the eastern side of the village but were soon overwhelmed by the enemy and few returned. 

At 8 a.m. finding that the village was not held the two left Companies of the 19th received no word from the rear or either flank believed themselves to be totally isolated so were forced to fall back and dig in, their position being untenable.

At midday the effective fighting strength of the 19th Btn was just 7 Officers and 43 other ranks" 

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July.

Casualties in the 19^th Battalion were 11 Officers and 435 Other Ranks 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.  

An entry on his Casualty Form notes he was first reported Wounded, to Field Ambulance, and about a month later, Wounded and Missing.

Fred's name was included in the local casualties published on 11th September 1916 as Wounded.

Some time in early 1917 he was officially presumed as having Died of Wounds received in action on 30th July 1916.

After receiving official notification of Fred's death, his family posted a notice on 21st February 1917 in the Liverpool Echo:

"Previously posted as missing, now officially reported died of wounds received in action on July 30, 1916, aged 24 years, Frederick William Hiatt (Fred), King's Liverpool   Regiment, the dearly-loved son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt, Sefton Park, Liverpool.

  "Not dead to those that loved him,

   Not lost, but gone before;

   He lives with us in memory still,

     And will for evermore.

   God alone knows how much I miss him,

     He sees the tears I shed,

   And whispers: 'Hush! Fred only sleeps!'

     My loved one is not dead."

- Deeply mourned by his sorrowing Mother and Family."

Fred's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Fred earned his three medals.

His father received Fred's Army pay and a War Gratuity of £8-10s.  His mother was awarded a pension of 12/6d a week from May 1917.

His family remembered Fred on the first anniversary of his death in 1917 under the header  "Lost at Battle of Guillemont": 

HIATT - In loving memory of my darling son, Private F.W Hiatt. K.L.R. (Pals), who died of wounds received in action July 30 1916. (His duty nobly done, wait until we meet again.) - his proud broken hearted mother.

HIATT - In loving memory of F.W. (Fred) Hiatt (Pals), killed in action July 30 1916. - Sadly missed by Jean and all at 76 Tiber Street.

He was also remembered on the second anniversary of his death in 1918 with a poignant notice from his heartbroken mother:

"In loving memory of my darling son, Private F. W. Hiatt, 3rd Pals, who died of wounds received in action at Guillemont, July 30, 1916.
 
For many years the family chain

Was closely linked together,

But O, that chain has broken now,

One link has gone for ever.

My treasure; a life's sorrow. - Mother."

In 1919 his parents were still living at 77 Moss Grove with his four brothers, Frank 32, Ernest 25, Sydney 22, and Eric, 14. His two sisters are married: Florence Halpin 29, was living in Tuebrook and Eva Moreland, 27, in Holt Road.

In 1939 his parents were living at 121 Stamfordham Drive, Liverpool. His father Francis, 76, was still working, as a nurseryman, his mother Frederica was 74.

His mother died in 1943 aged 78, and was buried on the 24th December 1943 at Allerton Cemetery.

His father died in 1951 at the age of 88.

Fred is commemorated in Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance, Panel 59.

We currently have no further information on Frederic William Hiatt. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.