© Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Frederick James Wells was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in Dorking, Surrey to bricklayer William and Ruth Wells (nee Colbran).
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 20 Leslie Road, Dorking. William was working as a bricklayer and Ruth was looking after their children: Mary Annie, Florence Ruth, Henry and Frederick.
In the 1901 Census, the family were still at Leslie Road. William was working as a bricklayer and Ruth was looking after their children: James, Gertrude Caroline, Arthur John, Frank Edward and Marguerite Bessie.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family still lived at Leslie Road. William was working as a bricklayer and Ruth was looking after their children: jobbing gardener James, layer on (printer) Arthur; Frank, Marguerite and Grace Emma. Ruth stated that she had given birth to ten children of whom eight were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Frederick Wells enlisted in Kingston into the ‘A’ Company, 7th (City of London) Battalion, the London Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 7140.
Frederick disembarked on 1st September 1916 in France.
PTE. F. J. WELLS
(City of London Regiment)
Mr. and Mrs. W. Wells, Pixham Lane, Dorking, have received the sad news of the death in action of their eldest son, Pte. Frederick James Wells, who had been previously reported wounded. He joined the Army two months after the war broke out. He was an old National School boy, and was 28 years of age.
Frederick Wells Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
He was mortally wounded in the field during attack on the Butte de Warlencourt on 7th October 1916 in France.
© CWGC.org
His body was exhumed and reburied at the Warlencourt British Cemetery in France. His grave reference number is: I.H.20.
Personal Headstone Inscription
© CWGC.org
The inscription on the headstone, erected by his father William Wells, reads: “Peace Perfect Peace”.
At the time of his death his parents resided at 5 Pixham Lane in Dorking.
Frederick’s father William received £4 and 10d on 5th March 1917 and a further £8 on 10th December 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Frederick Wells was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Wells Family History
Frederick’s mother Ruth Colbran was born in the 4th quarter of 1860 in Rye, Sussex, to Ann, born about 1821 in Bexhill, Sussex.
His father, William was born about 1847 in Tirley, Gloucestershire to labourer William snr, born about 1816 in Worcestershire, and Mary, born about 1820 in Tirley, Gloucestershire. William snr was baptised on 5th March 1847 in Tirley. At the time of the baptism, the family lived in Turley and William snr was working as a labourer.
James had nine siblings of whom eight are known: Mary Annie born in the 3rd quarter of 1882 in Hastings, Sussex; Florence Ruth born in the 4th quarter of 1886; Henry born about 1891; Gertrude Caroline born in the 4th quarter of 1893; Arthur John born in the 4th quarter of 1895; Frank Edward born in the 4th quarter of 1897; Marguerite Bessie born in the 3rd quarter of 1900 and Grace Emma born in the 2nd quarter of 1903, all in Dorking.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | William Wells and Ruth Wells nee Colbran. | |
| Regiment | 7th Battalion, London Regiment | |
| Number | 7140 | |
| Former Regiment | 3017 6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 7th October 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 27 | |
| Cemetery | Warlencourt British Cemetery, France |
