Private
Frederick CURTIS
Infantry
Died: 30th December 1917 - Age: 35

Commemorated:

1. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.120
2. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour28A GQS
3. Memorial:Liverpool Masonic Hall War MemorialCol.1. Hope St.
    

Awards & Titles:

British War Medal
Victory Medal
 

Early Life :

The majority of this legend is courtesy of Geoff Cuthill of the Province of West Lancashire, to whom the project is grateful.

Born at Portsea Island, Hampshire in 1880, to Liverpudlians, William Charles Curtis, a stonemason, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Davis). Part of the family are found as visitors at 25 Claypole Street on the census taken on 3 April 1881, staying with the Roberts family. The previous day both Frederick and his elder sister Alice had been baptised at St Catharines Church, Edge Hill, the register saying both were the children of Charles William Curtis, stonemason, and his wife Eliza, their address given as 25 Claypole Street.

Three years later two more children are baptised on 25 March 1885 at St Dunstan’s Church, Edge Hill, Bessie and William Curtis, children of William Curtis, stonemason, his wife Eliza, their address given as 72 Hawdon Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool. The next census in 1891 shows the family living at 37 Wilfer Road, St Dunstan’s Parish, Edge Hill, Liverpool. There is William C age 38, a stonemason, Eliza 40, Alice 12, Frederick 11, William 8, Bessie 6, and Margaret 4, all born in Liverpool except Alice and Fred, born Portsmouth. Ten years later, in 1901, the family consisting of Eliza 50, Fred, William, Bess and 10 year old Flora, are at 58 Rokesmith Street, Edge Hill with Frederick given as a 21 year old Fishmongers Assistant. William is a stonemason, while Bessie is a factory hand and sweet wrapper.

The 1911 census shows him at 5 Rhiwlas Street, Toxteth Park, a 31 year old fish salesman, with his widowed mother, Eliza, his younger brother William a stonemason, and sisters Margaret, a cigar packer, and Eliza. It also records that 6 children had been born to the couple, and were still living. Sadly the Curtis family grave which is in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool, tells of a very sad period happening after the census. It consists of a medium upright arched top in sandstone inscribed with; In loving memory of William Charles Curtis, who died 30 Sep. 1904, aged 50 years. Also Flora, beloved daughter of the above, who died 14 May 1911 aged 20 years. Also Margaret, beloved daughter of the above who died 2 June 1911 aged 24 years. Also Eliza Jane, beloved wife of the above who died 2 Sep 1912, aged 62 years. And William, beloved son of the above who died 17 Dec 1912 aged 30 years. *Thy will be done.* Also Frederick, son of the above, who was killed in action 30 Nov. 1917, aged 37 years.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 

Action : France & Flanders 

France & Flanders covers all the dates and corresponding locations which are outside the official battle nomenclature dates on the Western Front. Therefore the actions in which these men died could be considered 'normal' trench duty - the daily attrition losses which were an everyday fact of duty on the Western Front.

Detail :

Frederick had enlisted at sometime into the 2/9 King’s Liverpool Regiment, a second line Territorial Force battalion. As Private 332218 this one of a block of numbers from 330001 to 355000 allocated to the 9 Bn from 1 March 1917. If Fred had a number previous to this it was removed at this date. The headquarters for this battalion was at Everton Road, Liverpool, and the majority were recruited from or near the Everton area. It became part of the 172nd Brigade, 57th (West Lancashire) Division, moving to France in February 1917. At some time Frederick was moved to the 1st Battalion of the Regiment for it was while with them that he was killed, aged 37 years, on 30th November, 1917.

This was during the Battle of Cambrai when 1st Battalion were involved in horrendous fighting in the recently captured Hindenburg front line, where the Germans still held the support line. The Germans attacked with artillery, before sending in wave after wave of infantry, with the fighting being bloody and fierce throughout the day, including hand to hand trench fighting. Few survived from the Battalion, but they held their position on the day, with the fighting petering out around 5p.m. Frederick’s body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on Panel 4 of the Cambrai Memorial. Louveral, Nord, France, which lists the seven thousand plus servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa, who died in the battle, from November to December, 1917.

The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury of Friday, 28th December, 1917 has "CURTIS - November 30. killed in action aged 37 years, Private Frederick Curtis K.L.R. (Masonic Lodge 1675). (Our dearly beloved brother) 32 Corney Street." The index to wills and probate has; Curtis, Frederick of 32 Corney Street Liverpool, private 1st battalion Kings Liverpool regiment died 30th November 1917 in France. Administration (with Will) to Alice Graham, (wife of Peter Graham). Effects £132 6s 5d. An Alice Curtis married Peter Graham registered in the September quarter of 1903, in Liverpool.

A gratuity of £28 16s 4d was awarded to Frederick’s sister Alice Graham as a dependent, her address given as 32 Corney Street, Liverpool.

For his service in the Great War he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Antient Briton No. 1675 E.C.West Lancashire

Initiated
Passed
Raised
25th June 1913
23rd July 1913
24th September 1913
 

Frederick Curtis was initiated into Ancient Briton Lodge 1675 on 25 June 1912 in Liverpool, described as a Salesman aged 31, proposed by George Bowman, and seconded by Robert McGee. He was passed to the Second Degree on 23 July, and raised to the degree of Master Mason on 22 August, and his Grand Lodge certificate issued 14 October 1912. The contribution register shows "Killed in action 30/12/17."

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2021-03-13 09:08:59