Rifleman Frederick Horace Rookwood, 3253, 17th Battalion London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles), was killed in action on the Somme on October 1st, 1916. He was aged 27.

Widow Kate and parents James and Clara, of 14 Ashton Street [later Gillam Street], Luton, heard the news first from Frederick's brother-in-law, who said he had seen Frederick's grave, "which is very nicely laid out". [The grave was probably lost as Frederick is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial for soldiers with no known grave].

Before enlistment, Rifleman Rookwood was employed as a wire-shape maker at Mr W. R. Jeakings' factory in Collingdon Street, Luton. He joined the Army soon after war broke out and went to France in March 1915,where he was wounded by being smashed on his face by a periscope.

He had been well known in junior football circles in Luton at one time, having played for Ivy United and Cliftondale.

Frederick married Kate Simmons in 1911 and they had one child, named Horace, who died shortly after being born in 1912.