Frederick Breslin was born in Hanmer in 1891. He was recorded in the census of 1901 living with his family at Croxton Pool, Hanmer. Head of the household was George Breslin who was a 42 year old waggoner on a farm. His wife Margaret was 37. Their listed children were Frederick 10, Charles 7, Rose 4 and Reuben 2.

Reuben Breslin, Fred’s younger brother was also killed in the war. He is named on Hanmer’s memorial and has his own page on this website.

The next census in 1911 tells us that Fred had followed in his father’s footsteps. He was a 20 year old waggoner on a farm owned by a William Large. Fred was a resident servant. Also listed as a resident servant was Rose Breslin who was a 14 year old housemaid in the household which was occupied by William Large, his wife and their 5 children.

www.ancestry.co.uk holds Fred’s medal index card which lists his three medals and also tells us that his first Theatre of war was France and that he entered it on the 25th September 1915.

UK soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, also on ancestry,  confirms the military details above left. It adds that he enlisted in Port Sunlight and it is this source that tells us that Fred was killed in action in France on the 13th May 1916.

There is an index card for Fred in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. This gives the address Croxton Pool, Hanmer. It confirms the regimental details and adds that he joined up on the 7th September 1914. This source tells us he was killed at Arras.  The card was completed and signed in September 1919 by J C Chambers who was the vicar of Hanmer.

The UK register of Soldiers’ effects in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for Fred. His father George received a total of £10 ..17sh ..0d in two separate payments.