FRED+WRAGG



Wragg, Fred, Private, 22954, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards Born Crich, Derbyshire Enlisted Derby Disembarked for service 9th December 1915 Died of wounds 18th August 1916 aged 30 Son of Mrs. Harriet Rodgers. Buried in Crich (St. Mary) Churchyard, Derbyshire

1911 Census Listed as Fred Rodgers A limestone quarry labourer Son of William, a lime burner, and Harriett Rodgers, of Fritchley, Derbyshire


 * Derbyshire Courier Article, 26th August 1916: **


 * MILITARY FUNERAL AT CRICH **
 * Grenadier Guardsman’s Death From Wounds **

War’s toll on the nation’s manhood was vividly brought before the minds of the Crich people on Tuesday when the interment of Pte. Fred Wragg, 3rd Grenadier Guards, of Crich, took place with military honours at the Parish Church. Pte. Wragg was wounded in France early in July, the intimation being conveyed to his uncle, Mr. Jas. Wragg of Cliffe House, Crich in a letter from an Army chaplain, which appeared in the “Courier” at the time. He was wounded in the head by a bullet which injured his skull and he was sent to the County London Hospital, Epsom, but his chance of recovery was hopeless and he passed away last Friday. Sergt. W T Curzon, Crich, who was in the same hospital, was with him up to his death.

The body was brought to Ambergate on Monday and later to Cliffe House for the interment the following day. Practically the whole of the parish in addition to a number of people from Holloway and Ambergate, assembled at the churchyard to pay their tribute of respect to the dead soldier, whilst almost every blind was drawn in the Upper end of Crich. The procession was headed by the Crich Silver Band, Mr. S. Hollingsworth conducting and the Dead March was impressively played. Draped with the Union Jack the coffin was borne by Pte. Wragg’s fellow workmen of peace times, whilst in addition to the family mourners, the workmen connected with the Clay Cross Co.’s quarries and lime works at Crich followed. The firm was represented by Messrs. E. H. Huddlestone and H. H. Borg (?). A squad of the 1st Notts and Derbys, with Lance Corpl. Sharpe (?) in charge followed..

After the service in Church, and after the committal rites had been carried out by the Rev. Jas. Williams, the band gathered at the head of the grave and played “Lead Kindly Light”, followed by the “Last Post”, the bugler being Drummer Benton of the Notts and Derbys. From the Church the band led the procession to Cliffe House with the march “Farewell my Comrades”. Later, with the bells deeply muffled, Messrs. T. Simpson, H Bowler, J Walters, Pentrich, G. Bowler (?), W. Drake and Gunner J. Worthy rang a peal of the grandsire double. The large number of beautiful floral tributes sent included a wreath from Messrs. E H Huddlestone and H. H. Borg (?) and wreaths from “Officers” and “Staff” and “Comrades” of R Ward, County London Hospital, Epsom, the latter being designed in red, white and blue.

Pte. Wragg, who was 31 years of age, enlisted in the Grenadiers nearly eighteen months ago. He was generally regarded as the smartest soldier sent from Crich to the present war, and his progress in marksmanship was a feature of his training. It resulted in his winning several shooting competitions. He was formerly a member of Crich Band. His half-brother, Seaman W. Rodgers, was lost on the “Black Prince”

(Photograph from the Derbyshire Courier, 26th August 1916)




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