Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Christian Hart, an assurance society assistant superintendent, born 1864 in Church Gresley, Derbyshire and his wife Clara Hart (nee Poulton, married on the 25th December 1886 in SS. George & Mary’s Church, Church Gresley, Derbyshire), born 24th February 1866 in Sandiacre, Staffordshire. Frederick Wilfred, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, his siblings were, Louisa Ann, born in the 4th quarter of 1887. Margaret Ethel, born 25th December 1889 and Thomas Richard, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892, the latter three siblings were all born in Church Gresley and Gladys Maud, born in the 2nd quarter of 1900 in Burton upon Trent, in March 1901 the family home was at 106, Derby Road, Horninglow, Staffordshire. In April 1911 Frederick was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer and was residing in the family home at 19, Bakewell Street, Coalville, Leicestershire, together with his father, an assurance superintendent, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a railway engine cleaner, Gladys, a schoolgirl, Doris May, a schoolgirl, born 17th October 1902 and Elsie Irene, a schoolgirl, born 7th July 1905, the latter two siblings were both born in Burton upon Trent and Constance Eva, born 1st March 1910 in Coalville.
Frederick’s father was an assistant superintendent for an Insurance Company. Frederick attended the Wesleyan School on Belvoir Road, Coalville, developing a love of the outdoor life led him to join the Coalville Scout Troop where he spent many weeks at their summer camps. On leaving school he was employed by the London and North Western Railway Company as a locomotive cleaner in Coalville. Frederick enlisted in the 1/5th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment in mid-August 1914 together with his friend Charlie Hatter afterwards the pair went to celebrate receiving the King’s shilling and to toast future victory. The Battalion were on the slopes of Spanbroekmolen (Hill 76) in the Messines Sector on the 8th June 1915, when Frederick returned to his lookout role, he had just told one of his comrades to keep down, when a rifle shot was heard and a bullet entered his chest. A friend described the scene: - “He sank to his knees with a look of puzzlement, stunned. He then fell over backwards trapping his knees under his body. We pulled him in but we knew he was dead the bullet had passed through his heart, and he’d lost a lot of blood.”
Frederick enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 17th September 1914 in Coalville, and was allotted the service number 2535. He gave his place of birth as Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and age as 19 years 150 days. He gave his trade or calling as railway fireman.
His medical examination took place in Coalville on the 15th September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 5 months, that he was 6-feet in height, weighed 153 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 37 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George Hart, London Road, Coalville.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Killed in action. In the Field. 8/6/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 17/9/14 – 27/2/15. 164 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 8/6/15. 101 days.
Total Service. 265 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 8 Jun-15 - KEMMEL. Normal. Battalion relieved by the 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. Relief completed 12.15am 9th June 1915. Total casualties during tour in trenches, killed 4, wounded 10.
On Thursday June 17th 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article. – Mr. G. C. Hart, of 36, London-road, Coalville, has received the sad information that his second son Private FREDERICK WILFRED HART, aged 20, of the 5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, has been killed whilst serving in the trenches. He was formerly big drummer in the Coalville Troop of Boy Scouts, in which he was very popular. Private J. W. Lowe, of deceased’s company writing to Mrs. Hart, said that Fred was killed on June 8th, and buried the same day. Only a little while before being shot Hart told another chap to get down from the parapet, and was talking about Charlie Jewsbury getting killed two days before. The two, Private Lowe says, were the best all-round fellows he ever spoke to. Jewsbury was in the same company as Private Lowe and Hart, and the three were comrades in the Coalville Scouts.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 18th, 1915

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL KILLED

WHILE GIVING A WARNING TO OTHERS

On Sunday morning, Mr G. C. Hart, insurance assistant-superintendent, of London Road, Coalville, received a letter from Pte. J. W. Lowe, at the front, expressing sympathy with him on the death of his son, Pte. Frederick Wilfred Hart, of the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Territorials, killed in action in the trenches on June 8th. The letter stated that he was buried the same day, and the writer would look after his grave as long as they were in the locality. At the time he was killed, said Lowe, he had only just been telling another fellow to keep down, and he had been talking about Charlie Jewsbury, saying he was talking to him only 20 minutes before he was killed on Sunday, June 6th. Lowe adds that he feels it very much for two of them, Fred and Charlie, to be taken away, as they were the best all-round fellows that he had spoken to.

Another sympathetic letter sent with deceased’s personal effects has been received from Albert William Hanson, who says Hart was popular with the men and will be greatly missed. The deceased soldier was 20 years of age. Before the war, he was engaged as an engine-cleaner on the L and N.W.R. Railway at Coalville. He enlisted in the Territorials about nine months ago and was one of the first fifty to leave the town. He was a former scholar in the Wesleyan Sunday School and among those who have called to express sympathy with the bereaved parents are Mr T. Watson, the Sunday School Superintendent, Mr T. Frith, the Vicar of Coalville (Rev. S. Hosking) and Mr W. A. Hull.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT COALVILLE AND HUGGLESCOTE

FOR LOCAL MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN

Impressive memorial services were held at Coalville and Hugglescote on Sunday evening, for local men who have nobly died fighting for their country.

The service at Coalville was in the Wesleyan Church, and was conducted by Mr W. A. Hall, of Coalville. There was a crowded congregation which included the Men’s and Women’s V.A.D. under Commandants W. Eames and W. V. Scott, and the Coalville and Whitwick and Thringstone Citizens Corps under the respective Commanders, J. S. Turner and J. Lester. A number of scouts were also present and a few men in khaki. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, “When the weary seeking rest” and other hymns sung were “God of the living in whose eyes”, “Lord, God of hosts”, “Ten thousand times ten thousand” and “Now the labourer’s task is over”. The choir sang, “No shadows yonder” and “Nearer my God to thee.”

The preacher took for his text, Romans 8c, 7v., and in the course of his address said they had assembled that night to pay tribute to the memory of three lads from the Coalville Wesleyan Sabbath School – Ernest Batho, Fredk. Wm. Hart and Albert Willis Wells. They listened to the cry, “For God and Right” and went forward and joined the armies fighting against the enemies of their country. Hart fell in the trenches and Batho in the midst of the fighting on the battlefield. Wells, after conducting a superior officer to headquarters under heavy fire, was hit. The officer was killed and the gallant soldier, after lying in hospital for a week, succumbed to his wound. They were met that night in sympathy with those who so willingly gave their loved ones and today were mourning their loss. They met as a tribute to the memory of the lads who were numbered among Great Britain’s heroes. It was not for the excitement of the moment that they responded to the call, but to take part in guarding our shores from the attack of the enemy. They had died in a good cause – the cause of humanity. “They have died,” he added, “for you and for me. Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” He referred to letters which had been received from officers testifying to the excellent character of these lads and pointed out that the work of the Sunday school teachers had not been in vain. At the close of the service, the organist, Mr S. Rawlins, played the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile and as a finale, Scout Preston, with his bugle, sounded “The Last Post.”

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 7/10/2017