2nd Lieutenant Frederick Lewis Pedley
Rank or Title
Date of Birth
1895
Date of Death
23 Aug 1917
War time / or Pre War occupation
Employer
Medals Awarded
Service Number
Place of Birth
World War I Address
Place of Death
Grave Location
War Memorial Location
Luton ward
Soldier or Civilian
- Soldier
From The Luton News 9th January 1917. FROM THE RANKS. Another Brave Lutonian Receives a Commission. We are pleased to announce that Pte Frederick Lewis Pedley, son of Mrs Pedley of 73 Conway Road Luton, has been gazetted to a commission. Pte Pedley, it may be remembered was one of a number of young Lutonians, many of them well known in sporting, social and religious life in Luton, who enlisted in the 24th County of London Regiment (The Queen's) on September 5th 1914. They joined the British Expeditionary Force in March 1915 and have since figured conspicuously in very severe fighting. They have won many honours, but alas, they have lost a considerable number of men and several of the brave Lutonians have gone to the long home. Pte Pedley was wounded in the famous charge in May 1915 and again this year. Altogether he saw about 10 months active service and he came home in July. He has since undergone a period of training in Scotland and passing his examination a week ago last Monday, he has since received his commission. He is now awaiting a notification of his regiment.
On August 23rd, 1917, the Luton News carried a report that Second Lieut Pedley was severely wounded by splinters from a shell which burst in and demolished the dug-out in which he was sleeping behind the lines. When rescued, it was found he had injuries to his abdomen, head, jaw and hand. The previous day's Luton Reporter newspaper said that happened on August 11th.
On August 29th and 30th, the Luton Reporter and Luton News respectively reported Frederick Pedley's death from his wounds. His widowed mother Isabella was given the news in a telegram on Friday, August 24th, the day after his death.
The newspapers said it was the third time Frederick had been wounded. Following the second incident, in 1916, he left the convalescent camp where he had been recovering and came home to train with a cadet corps for his commission. He returned to France in February 1917 as a Second Lieutenant attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Frederick is commemorated on the Luton and Vauxhall War Memorials. He was recorded as a private on the Vauxhall Roll of Honour created in 1915 when he was listed under employees from the Vauxhall Fitting Shop who were serving with the Colours.
The slideshow below includes a picture of Frederick Pedley seated in the centre of the front row with other local members of the 24th Londons in 1915.
Individual Location
Author: Diane Cullen
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