Foulkes, Frederick

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Frederick Foulkes

52815, Private, 1/6th Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorial Force)
Killed in action, 11 April 1918, aged 19
No known grave (Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium)

CWGC registered (Son of Henry Thomas and Margaret Foulkes, of 11 Council St, Llandudno)

Frederick Foulkes was born on 16 January 1899 at Llandudno. He was the son of Henry Thomas Foulkes and his wife Margaret Ann Foulkes (née Kelly). The Census of Wales for 1901 records the family living at 12 Alexandra Terrace, Llandudno; Henry Thomas Foulkes was described as a hotel porter. In April 1904, Frederick was admitted to Lloyd Street School – his address was given as 30 Kings Road. In September 1905, he transferred to the newly-opened Dyffryn Road School. In 1911 the family’s address was recorded as 11 Council Street, Llandudno; Henry Foulkes was now described as an auctioneer’s clerk and Frederic (12) as at school. By now, Frederick had two younger brothers: Thomas Henry (9) and Alfred (4). Frederick left school in May 1912.

Frederick Foulkes’ army record no longer exists. However, it would appear that he volunteered for the Territorial Force in November 1915 aged 16, a little under age – the minimum age for the TF being 17. He was posted to the (Welsh) Divisional Cyclists’ Company, probably the 3/1st at Stockport and had a service number of 475. It is possible that after training he was posted to the 2/1st, part of the 68th (Welsh) Division that carried out home defence duties in East Anglia. With the passing of the Military Service Act in 1916, Frederick was liable for compulsory transfer and in early 1918, was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers with a regular army number of 52815 though his destined battalion was the 1/6th Territorial Force.

Frederick Foulkes was killed in action on 11 April 1918 near Estaires, France during the Battle of the Lys. Three days previously, the 50th Division had been in the Merville area destined to relieve the Portuguese Division in the trenches on the night of 9/10 April. However, the Germans began a heavy bombardment on the morning of 9 April and the relief plan was cancelled: the division forming a new line of defence against the anticipated attack.

Known memorials:

• Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
• Llandudno Roll of Honour
• Llandudno War Memorial
• Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
• Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy