Flintshirewarmemorials.com
Name Frederick Mather
Regiment 5th Bn RWF
Service Rank and Number Corporal 240541 (he had an earlier number 1570)
Military Cemetery/Memorial Jerusalem Memorial
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial Panels 20 -22
Country of Cemetery/Memorial Israel
Medals Awarded Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals
Date and Circumstances of Death Killed in Action 26th March 1917
Biographical Details Known He was born in Mold in 1882, the son of Charles and Jane Mather of Maes y Dre, Mold and the husband of Margaret Mather of 1 Spring St, Connah's Quay, Flintshire.
His army records show that he had been a soldier before enlisting for WW1. He signed attestation papers in Wrexham in April 1902, when he was 18yrs. At that time he described himself as a labourer. He was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers to begin with and then transferred to the Army Ordanace Corps. He was transferred to the Army Reserve from 23rd April 1905.
The 1911 census places him at 6 Fron Road Connah's Quay, where he was a 29 year old married man. His occupation was 'Ironworker, catcher' . His 29 year old wife Margaret and his 12 year old daughter Mable lived with him and there were five boarders at the house.
As a reservist he was called up promptly at the start of the war. He rejoined the army in August 1914 and he stated on his attestation papers that he was employed as an ironworker at john Summers Co (Large ironworks). By then the family was living at 1 Spring St Connah's Quay. His family had increased - Mabel had two brothers Frederick and Thomas Charles
He seems to have had a chequered army career with one or two references to colourful discipliary incidents eg
'Creating a disturbance after lights out'
'Using obscene language to an officer'
'neglect of duty'
Despite these he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal.
He served in Gallipoli and was then part of the Mediterranian Expeditionary Force. He had several periods in hospital for ailments including heatstroke and tonsilitis. He was killed in action in Gaza.