Frederick Charles Wickens

Author: Sue Rosier
Date published: 06/11/2011
© Sue Roiser

Born 5th February 1891
Died 31st October 1918

Frederick was the youngest son (sixth child) of John & Elizabeth Wickens. He was born in Burghclere, Hampshire. Not long after his birth the family moved to 4 Adeys Buildings, York Rd, Newbury. His father died when Frederick was 8 years old. Frederick won three medals for running during 1911 /12: he was also artistic and made detailed pen and ink drawings.

Frederick, with his brother John went to Canada at the beginning of April 1914, returning alone in January 1915.

Frederick married Florence Hancock on 26th October 1918. On the day of the wedding he was already feeling ill, and tragically died of pneumonia combined with influenza 5 days later aged 27, at the home of Florence’s mother, 5 Montague Place, Newtown Road, (now 126 Newtown Rd). Up until his death Frederick worked as a chemist’s assistant.

His widow continued to live in the house until shortly before her death in December 1977. She never remarried and took over the tenancy after her mother died, sometime after 1950 and before 1954 (Kelly’s directory not available for 51 to 53). Unfortunately, Florence was unable to be buried with Fredrick as the location of his grave could not be found as the cemetery records had been destroyed by fire

Sources:Personal research

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