Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Emma Naylor, born in the April quarter of 1867 in Preston, Rutland and baptised on the 7th April 1867 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston (daughter of Alfred Naylor, 1839 and Sarah Penniston, 1832. Frederick William was born on the 1st May 1887 in Preston and baptised on the 5th June 1887 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston.
In April 1891 Frederick was residing in the family home in Preston of his uncle, George Naylor Penniston, an agricultural labourer, born in the April quarter of 1863 in Ridlington, Rutland, together with his mother, a laundress, aunt, Charlotte Naylor, a laundress born on the 16th June 1869 and baptised on the 8th August 1869 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, uncle’s Thomas Naylor, an agricultural labourer, born in the January quarter of 1866 and baptised on the 8th April 1866 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston and Herbert Naylor, an agricultural labourer born on the 8th January 1872, both his aunt and two uncles were born in Preston.
In March 1901 Frederick was residing in the family home at Town Street, Church Lane, Preston, together with his stepfather, Frederick Oliver Stevens, an ordinary agricultural labourer, born on the 31st March 1870 in Glaston, Rutland and baptised on the 3rd July 1870 in St. Andrew’s Church, Glaston (son of James Stevens, 1825 and Eliza Stanger, 1832), his mother (married in the April quarter of 1898 in Uppingham, Rutland) and half-blood sibling Oliver Oswald, born in the July quarter of 1899 in Preston and baptised on the 6th August 1899 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, also residing with the family was his uncle, George Naylor, a railway labourer.
In April 1911 Frederick was absent from the family home at Preston, residing there was his stepfather, an agricultural labourer, his mother and half-blood siblings, Oliver, a schoolboy and Lilian Emma, a schoolgirl, born on the 19th October 1901 in Preston and baptised on the 12th January 1902 in the Church of St. Peter & Paul, Preston, also residing with the family was his uncle, George Naylor, an agricultural labourer.
Just before the outbreak of war he had been on a visit home, and upon his arrival in Canada he was too late to join the first Canadian Army bound for the front. He at once went into training in November 1914 and arrived in England with the second Canadian Army in May 1915, embarking for the front in September the same year. He was engaged in repairing some telephone wires that had been cut by enemy shell fire the previous day, when the Germans began shelling the neighbourhood again, this time killing and wounding several men, Frederick suffered face, neck and leg wounds and these were thought to be only superficial, however his condition began to deteriorate and it became apparent that he had also suffered serious internal injuries and he subsequently died from these in Boulogne General Hospital.
Frederick enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 21st January 1915 in Ottawa, and was allotted the service number 573 229. He gave his place of birth as Preston, Rutland, England, his next of kin was given as Mrs. F. C. Stevens, residing at Preston, Rutland, England, his date of birth as 1st May 1887, his trade or calling as steam fitter and his marital status as single.
He confirmed that he had previously served for 18 months with the 3rd Brigade Field Company, Canadian Engineers.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 27 years 7 months, height 5-feet 6¾ inches weight [not recorded] lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 38½ inches his complexion was described as medium, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, 4 vaccination scars left arm. Sundry moles over body. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. Date 20th November 1914. Place Ottawa.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Ottawa on the 20th November 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Preston, Rutland, England, declared age as 27 years, trade or occupation as steam fitter, that he was 5-feet 6¾ inches in height, weighed [not recorded] lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 38½ inches and his physical development was described as [not recorded]. Marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease, [not recorded]. Enlisted at Ottawa on the 10th November 1914. Joined on enlistment 2nd Divisional Signal Company.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103) and various documents enclosed within his service record.
Embarked. Per SS. Megantic. 24/5/15.
Embarked. For France. 14/9/15.
Admitted. To 5th Canadian Field Ambulance, shrapnel wound face and head. In the Field. 29/12/15.
Transferred. To 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 29/12/15.
Transferred. Per 17th Ambulance Train. In the Field. 30/12/15.
Admitted. No.13 General Hospital, Boulogne. Gunshot wound to head and thigh. 31/12/15.
Died of wounds at 7.25am in No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne. 7/1/16.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On Friday 17th, March 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – PRESTON. – CONDOLENCE. – Major-General Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada, has written from Ottawa to Mrs. F. Stevens, praising the heroic work of sapper Fredk. William Naylor. The general says: “While one cannot too deeply mourn the loss of such a brave comrade, there is a consolation in knowing that he did his duty fearlessly and well, and gave his life for the cause of liberty and the upbuilding of the Empire.”
[recognitum XXIII-IX-MMXXIV]