Sheldrick, Frederick

Frederick was the third son of John and Martha (nee Scoot) Sheldrick, born at Thriplow, Cambridgeshire on 12 October 1886. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Frederick enlisted on 15 February 1916 with the Royal Flying Corps, Regimental Number 23323. He embarked to the Western Front, France and Flanders on 22 May 1916 with Squadron 11 and with a few visits to his home base of RAF Docking, Norfolk, saw active service on the Western Front until 4 December 1919. On 1 March 1917 he was promoted to Corporal and on 1 March 1918 he was promoted to Sergeant. On 1 November 1918 he transferred to the Royal Air Force, Squadron 23, as Sergeant, he was classed as an aero rigger. He served with the 23^rd, 84^th and 20^th Squadrons. He survived the War.

Fredrick was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before enlisting Frederick was a gardener and chauffer.

Frederick married Ruth Magness at Dersingham, Norfolk in the 4^th quarter 1918. They had two daughters, both born in Dersingham, Jean Margaret born 1919 and Sybil Dorothy born 1921. After living in Snettisham, Norfolk for a number of years the family moved back to Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

The 1939 census shows them living at Ashwell with Fred a gardener.

Frederick died in December 1972.

Fred’s brother, Percy was severely wounded in the head and arm in 1917 during the Second Battle of Scarpe, but he survived the War. His brother, John was killed in action in 1917 whilst serving with the South Wales Borderers. His brother, Bertie died of wounds received in action at Neuve Chapelle. His brother, Frank received gunshot wounds to both legs on the Western Front but survived.