Pte 30831 Frederick James Craven

• Age: 38
• From: Sunderland
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 9th March 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.D.20

Frederick James Craven born in the first quarter of 1878 in Sunderland, the third of three sons and two daughters born to George, a master bill poster, and his wife Margaret (nee Douglass) who married in 1872. Frederick was baptised on 06th March 1878 at St Thomas's Church in Bishopwearmouth. He had two older brothers, George Douglas and Arthur Taylor, and two younger sisters, Alice Maud and Annie.

The 1881 Census finds the family living at 2 East Cross Street, Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland. Frederick is aged 3 and lives with his parents and two brothers. His father is a 36 year old newspaper advertising agent born in Richmond, Yorkshire, whilst his mother 34 years of age and was born in Durham. His brothers are listed as; George aged 6 and Arthur T. aged 5. There is also a boarder present at the property.

The family are still at East Cross Street at the time of the 1891 Census. Frederick is now a 13 year old scholar, living with his parents and four siblings. His father is now employed as a master bill poster, his two elder sons George D. aged 16 and Arthur T. aged 15 are also bill posters. Frederick's younger siblings are his two sisters; Alice M. aged 8 and Annie aged 6.  

In 1901 the family are 48 Nile Street, Sunderland. Frederick is not present in the household, as he was serving in the Army. Both parents are present along with three of his siblings; George is a newsagent, Arthur is a bill poster and Annie aged 16 has no occupation stated. 

He was named in the Sunderland Daily Echo on the 15th June 1901:

THE FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH

The following are the names of the returned Volunteers upon whom the freedom of the borough is to be conferred at the special Council meeting on Wednesday evening next:-

3rd VB DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

....., Frederick James Craven, ...

There is a 1 year short service Regular Army attestation with the Durham Light Infantry for a Frederick Craven who enlisted at Sunderland on the 24th January 1900. It can be found in the WO97 series.

Then aged 21 years and 11 months and born Bishopwearmouth, County Durham, he was at that time serving in the 3rd VB Durham Light Infantry. He was a Moulder by trade and had completed a 4 year apprenticeship. The Regular Army regimental number issued was 8115.

He was described as 5 feet 4 and a quarter inches tall, weighed 134lbs, had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion. There were no distinctive marks. His faith was Church of England. His next of kin was his father, Mr George Craven, who was living at Sunderland.

He reported to the Depot at Newcastle upon Tyne on the 25th January 1900, was posted to a Service Section the following day and then to the 1st Battalion on the 23rd February 1900, sailing for South Africa. He was discharged in the UK on the completion of his term of engagement on the 6th June 1901.

He was entitled to a War Gratuity and the South Africa Medal 1900-1901.

Thanks to PRC on the Great War Forum.

In September 1901, Frederick James Craven married Annie Robson Hindmarsh (most records show Hindmarch) in Sunderland.

A son, Frederick James Craven Hindmarch was born before their marriage, on 21st September 1900, while his father was in South Africa.

They had further children John William, born in 1902, and Annie in 1910.

His father appears to have died in 1908, aged 63.

The 1911 Census finds the family living at at 34 Wilson Street, Sunderland. Frederick is now 32 years of age and is employed as a foundry iron-moulder, his wife Annie is 28 years of age and was born in Durham. They have three children; Frederick J. (surname recorded as Craven) is aged 11 and at school as is his brother John aged 9, also recorded is Annie aged 1. 

A daughter, Margaret, was born later that year, on 01st December 1911.  

In 1911 his widowed mother is living in Cambridge Terrace in Sunderland with son Arthur, 35, a bill-poster, and daughter Annie, 26. His mother died later that year aged 64.

Frederick enlisted in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 30831.

In November 1915, Frederick embarked with the British Expeditionary Force to France where he earned his 3 medals.

He was killed in action on 09^th March 1916, aged 38.

The amount of the War Gratuity (£3) suggests that Frederick had served for a maximum of one year.

His children were 15, 13, 6, and 4 years old when Frederick was killed.

The Medal Index Card records that his medals were returned.

Soldiers Effects were recorded as un-issued, no Pension record can be found. This appears to be because his widow Annie quickly started another family with Frederick Jennings, having children Stanley  (born 04th May 1916), Florence (1919) and Thomas (1921).

In 1939 Annie, then aged 58 and again widowed, lived at 30 Orchard Street, Sunderland, with eldest son Fred Hindmarch, daughter Margaret Craven, and sons Stanley and Thomas Jennings. Her daughter Florence Jennings had died in 1938 aged 19.

Annie died on the 02nd January 1961 in Sunderland General Hospital.

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