During the first two weeks of May 1916 the Germans exploded mines under British positions near Ablain Saint Nazaire. The artillery’s job was to open a barrage on the enemy to allow British troops to move forward and occupy the newly formed crater. On 16 May the 34th Battery was heavily shelled killing Frederick and five of his comrades. They were buried in a small cemetery at Ablain St Nazaire but after the war their remains were removed to a much larger cemetery close by at Souchez.

Robin Marriott