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202808 2nd/1st Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
Frederick Wheeler known and registered as Fred was born on 31 March 1886, the son of Edward and Martha Ann Wheeler (née Skingle), of 1 High Street, Lavenham. Prior to moving to Lavenham the family had lived in Sudbury, part of a well-known Sudbury family who originally owned furniture and grocery businesses in Melford Road. At the age of 15 Fred was employed as a telegraph messenger boy.
He had five brothers and three sisters. His brothers all served in the army. Edward, known as Ted, closed his butcher’s shop in Sudbury to join the Royal Garrison Artillery. After the war he re-opened the shop in North Street. Frank enlisted and lost his life six months before Fred while serving with the Canadian Infantry. Percy Harold joined the Queen’s Regiment in 1916. After the war he had a butcher’s shop in Colchester. Alfred enlisted in the Essex Regiment in September 1914, and was posted missing in 1917 but turned up safe and well nineteen days later. He was also wounded twice and suffered from trench fever. After the war he had a butchery business but he gave it up to become a chef. Harry Victor enlisted in 1917 and saw action in France. After the war he took over the butcher’s shop in Lavenham.
Fred married Annie Ellywill at East Blofield on 27 May 1912. They had three children. He was a grocer in Needham Market and was made a Freeman of Sudbury around 1914.
Fred enlisted in 1916 with the London Regiment (formerly 5977). The battalion formed part of 173rd Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division. The Division landed at Le Havre in January 1917 and in the spring saw action in flanking operations in support of the Battle of Arras at the battle of Bullecourt (3 - 17 May) and actions on the Hindenburg Line (20 May – 16 June).
Fred was throwing bombs from a shell hole close to the German lines when he was blown up by a shell. He was killed in action aged 31 on 16 June 1917. There is no known grave, and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. A Cross of Remembrance was laid at the Arras Memorial in March 2007 and October 2011.
Fred was awarded the British War medal and Victory Medal. He is also remembered on the Lavenham War Memorial, Suffolk.
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