Corporal Frederick Acton, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
- Amanda T
- Nov 28, 2019
- 3 min read
Commemorated on a family headstone in Allerton cemetery.
CorporalActonFrederick R.W.F.
Killed in action at Bullecourt, France 14th May 1917 aged 24.
Parents Frank E and Mary Acton.
Frederick Acton – A/Cpl Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Frederick Acton was born in Liverpool on 2nd May 1892 and christened on 2nd July 1893 in Wavertree, St Bridget. His parents were Frank and Mary Elizabeth and they lived at 54 Wellington Grove. His father’s occupation was fireman [railway].
At the time of the 1901 census the family were living at 52 Wellington Grove and the household was recorded as:
Frank E Acton, head aged 31, occupation: Railway Engineer Fireman, born Manchester.
Mary E Acton, wife, aged 30, born Wavertree (Liverpool)
Frederick Acton, son, aged 7, born Wavertree.
Helen Acton, daughter, aged 6, born Wavertree.
Nora Acton, daughter, aged 2, born Wavertree.
Mary Derry, mother-in-law, widow, aged 67, born Ireland.
At the time of the 1911 census the family were living at 7 Cretan Rd, Wavertree.
Frank wasn’t home for the census but we can be certain he was still living with the family as there is a blank line left for him and Mary is listed as ‘wife’ rather than ‘head’. The family’s census returns looks like this:
Mary Acton, wife, aged 30, married for 19 years, 6 children born, 6 children still living, born Wavertree.
Frederick Acton, son, aged 18, single, occupation: clerk for disinfectant manufacturer.
Helen Acton, daughter, aged 16, singe, occupation: apprentice stationery.
Nora Acton, daughter, 16, aged 12, school
John Acton, son, aged 11, school.
Irene Acton, daughter, aged 8, school.
Robert Acton, son, aged 5
Mary Derry, relative, aged 77, widow, bork Carrickfergus.
Military Service
Frederick’s service papers haven’t survived but we can glean some information from his medal index card and the medal rolls.
Frederick’s medal index card shows that he served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as an acting corporal with the regimental number 4325, he also served with the same regiment with the regimental number 53705. The card also records that Frederick received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The theatre of war first entered is not recorded. This tells us that he went overseas after the 1st Jan 1916.
The medal rolls add that he served with the 1st Battalion RWF. The CWGC adds that he was with ‘B’Coy 1st RWF.
Soldier’s died in the great war 1014-1919 gives the additional information (in the comments section) that Frederick previously served with the Liverpool Regiment, number 36091.
The register of soldiers' effects and a pension record card show that Frederick actually went missing in action on 14th May 1917 and, with no further word of him, he was later officially accepted as being killed on or since that date.
War Diary for 1st RWF 14th May 1917: my italics to show activity directly related to “B”Coy
14th May
B and D Coys attacked at 2:10am
3am Message received from O.C. B.Coy that attack had failed
3.20am B and D Coys ordered to reorganise for further attack
4am This attack also failed but posts were established at U.27.b.30.60 facing CRUCIFIX and at U.27.b.42.45.
4.10am Orders for attack by A and C Coys issued. Zero hour 6.15am
Forming up line POINT 31 U.27.d.90.90 to attack from S.E. under Stokes bombardment.
B and D Coys ordered to barrage the CRUCIFIX and POINT U.27.b.40.40with Rifle Grenades.
10am News received from O.C. “C” Coy that attack had failed. Many casualties and remainder were dug in nearly surrounding POINT U.27.b.65.20
bombs and SAA urgently required.
10.45am These were sent up. O.C. “C”Coy told to re-organise for further attack at 2.30pm.
3pm News received that attack had partially succeeded but we were forced out through lack of bombs and rifle grenades.
4pm Ordered by C.O.C. 91st brigade to discontinue attacks as 20th Manchester Rgt and 2/H.A.C. would relieve 2/Queens and 1st S. Staffs respectively and we would be relieved by 1 Company of 21st Manchesters.
6.30pm Orders received that A and C Coys would not be relieved but would carry out a further attack with the help of 1 platoon of 21st Manchester Regt.
Commanding Officer informed the Staff Officer of 21st Infantry Brigade that he considered a further attack with tired troops was not feasible until the crucifix had been taken.
This was cancelled at 4.10am 15-5-17
15th May [extract]
3.20am B and D Coys relieved by 21st Manchester Regt.
Frederick's mother Mary, living at 111 Ash Grove, Wavertree, received a pension for the loss of her son.
Frederick's family remembered him with the following inscription on the family headstone in Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool:
Corporal Frederick Acton (R.W.F.)
Beloved son of
Frank E & Mary Acton
Killed in action at Bullecourt, France
May 14th 1917 aged 24 years.
As can be seen from the full inscription, this was the resting place for Frederick's sister Helena and his grandmother Mary Derry who both passed away in 1912 and also his parents who both passed away in 1945.
Figure 1 Acton family headstone, Allerton Cemetery
Frederick has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Arras Memorial in France.
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