Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas and Selina Dexter of Shepshed, Leics., and the husband of Mary Dexter of Coalville, Leics.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 21st, 1919

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S DEATH

A FORMER WHOLESALE FRUIT MERCHANT

Mrs F. Dexter, of 48, Charnwood Street, Coalville, has received news of the death of her husband, Private F. Dexter, of the 38th Labour Company, which occurred from pneumonia in hospital in France on February 6th. An officer writes, “It is with the deepest regret that I write to convey to you the sad news of your husband’s death which occurred on the 6th inst. at No. 4 Stationary Hospital, of pneumonia. Mr brother officers and the men of his company join with me in endeavouring to express our sympathy with you in your great sorrow. Dexter was a man who was liked by us all, and I can only repeat myself and say how deeply grieved I am to think that this should have happened after he had been with us so long, and at a time when we were all expecting shortly to return home.”

The matron of the hospital writes, “He was brought to us very ill indeed, and suffering from pneumonia. We did all we could for him, but he died last evening (6th) at 8.45. He was too ill to talk to us, but one of the bravest men I’ve seen. He will be buried in the British Cemetery at Longuenesse, near St. Omer.”

Private Dexter was 39 years of age, and before joining the Forces carried on a one-man business as wholesale fruit merchant at 3, London Road, Coalville. A memorial service for the deceased was held at the Coalville United Methodist Church last Sunday night, conducted by the Rev. E. Crane, Loughborough. At the close of the service one of the Boy Scout buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

Coalville Times article - Friday February 21st, 1919

THANKS

Mrs F. Dexter, 48, Charnwood Street, Coalville, desires to thank all friends for kind sympathy shown to her and family in their sad bereavement through the death of her husband in Longuenesse, France.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 6th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Dexter – In affectionate remembrance of Private Fred Dexter of the Durham Light Infantry, who died in France, February 6th, 1919.

From his loving Wife and Children, Brother and Sister.

Researched undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 22/7/2018