Frederick Larter

A Lance Corporal with the 1/4th Battalion. Frederick died on 1st of November 1918, at the age of 41. 

Frederick was born at Halesworth in 1877, a son Harry and Jane Mary Larter. In 1881 his family lived at Smallgate Street, Beccles. In 1891 they lived at the Spread Eagle, Northgate Street, Beccles, where Frederick’s father was the licensee. In 1901 his family lived at 12 Carlton Road, Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 11 Beach Road. In 1916 they lived at 87 Tonning Street and later Frederick’s mother lived at 6 Claremont Road. 

Frederick served in the Suffolk Artillery Militia. He was working as a blacksmith when, on 21 March 1895, he attested for the regular army at Beccles. He joined the Coldstream Guards, service number 50. He joined the Army Reserve on 21 March 1898. On 9 October 1899 he was recalled to Army service and joined the 2nd Battalion. He served in South Africa, during the Boer War, from 21 October 1899 to 5 June 1900, when he returned to England and joined the 3rd Battalion. He returned to South Africa on 15 April 1902 to serve with the 1st Battalion. He arrived back in England on 21 July 1902 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion. He was discharged to the Army Reserve on 2 September 1902 and discharged, on termination of his engagement, on 20 March 1907. Frederick was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal.  

On 2 August 1900 Frederick married Sarah Ann Smith. In 1901 they lived at Saint Peter’s Road, Kirkley, and Frederick was a bricklayer’s labourer. In 1911 they were living at 58 Kings Road, Leiston, and Frederick was a drilling machine hand at an engineering works. Subsequently they moved back to Lowestoft. Later Sarah lived at 28 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft.

Frederick volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 3/9681, and was posted to the 8th Battalion. He arrived in France with the 8th Battalion on 25 July 1915. At some point he was posted to the 1/4th Battalion.

It is not possible to say precisely when, or how, Frederick was wounded. He is buried at Don Communal Cemetery which suggests that he died of his wounds at 15 Casualty Clearing Station which was based at Don in November 1918. 

Frederick's brother Arthur served with the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1918.