Tipton

Remembers

Private 33415 Frederick Hotchkiss


Hotchkiss Frederick 96 416x600


Killed in Action Egypt on Tuesday, 6th November 1917, age 28.
Buried in Grave E. 50. at Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel.

1st/1st Bn., Herefordshire Regiment. 158th Brigade of 53rd Division.
Formerly 11848 Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Son of William and Sarah Hotchkiss, of 15, Dee Rd., Connah's Quay, Chester.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Shotton, Resident: Connah's Quay, Flintshire.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial, but commemorated on St. Mark’s Memorial, Connah’s Quay.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/644693/


Genealogical Data

Birth of Frederick Hotchkiss registered June quarter 1891 in Dudley.

1901 Census
88 Bridge Street, Stalybridge, Cheshire.
William Hotchkiss (39, Ironworker, born Staffordshire), his wife Sarah (40, born Staffordshire), and their 4 children: William (11, born Staffordshire), Frederick (9, born Staffordshire), George (7, born Staffordshire), and Benjamin (3, born Stalybridge).

1911 Census
15 Dee Road, Connah's Quay, Flintshire.
William Hotchkiss (50, Sheet Millworker, born Tipton), his wife Sarah (49, born Tipton), and 4 of their 5 surviving children of 8: William (21, Sheet Millworker, born Tipton), Frederick (19, Sheet Millworker, born Tipton), George (17, Sheet Millworker, born Tipton), Benjamin (13, School, born Holybridge, Cheshire).


Personal Data

Frederick's brother Richard Benjamin Hotchkiss, serving as Private 53937 in the 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action on 3rd April 1917, and is buried in St. Leger CWGC Cemetery, between Arras and Bapaume in northern France. He was born in Cheshire in late 1897 after the family had moved to Cheshire.

After Frederick's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/14/1d (10 pounds, 14 shillings and 1 penny); this was paid to his father, William, in May 1918. His War Gratuity was £14/10/0d (14 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his father in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Frederick had enlisted in September 1914.

Although a Pension Card exists for both Frederick and his brother RIchard with their parents Sarah and WIlliam as beneficiaries, there is no indication if a Dependant's Pension was ever paid.


Action resulting in his death

The 1/1st Herefords were part of 53rd (Welsh) Division which was involved in the Third Battle of Gaza, commencing on 31st October 1917. Rather than a direct attack on Gaza, the Allied strategy was to attack Beersheba on the left flank, and advance to encircle Gaza. Beersheba was captured on 31st October.

The next assault came on the 6th November near Sheria, midway between Bersheba and Gaza. Again the assault was successful, allowing Gaza to be captured on 7th November, opening the road to Jerusalem which was captured on 9th December 1917.

Fred Hotchkiss was killed in action on 6th November, most likely during the attack on Sheria. He is buried at Beersheba War Cemetery.


Newspaper Cuttings

Flintshire County Herald, 30th November 1917
Death of a Soldier.
We are informed that on Sunday last the official intimation was received of the death of Pte. Hotchkiss, whose home is in Dee Road, Connah’s Quay. Deceased was before enlistment employed at an ironworks; and was well respected by numerous comrades and friends of the Connah’s Quay and Shotton Districts.