Frederick William Derbyshire MC

Rank:

Captain

Regimental number:

55599

Unit at enlistment:

19th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Awards or decorations:

Military Cross

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Lancashire

Birth city:

Manchester

Address at enlistment:

84 Cayuga Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

England

Trade or calling:

Machinist

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Wesleyan

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 30204
Date: July 26, 1917
Honour or Award: Military Cross
Authority: R.O. 3583, Burstall, June 19, 1917
Name: Frederick William Derbyshire (Lieutenant)
Unit: 19th Battalion

Details: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The enemy having gained a temporary footing in our front line trenches, he organized and led a patrol far into the enemy's lines in broad daylight, obtaining most valuable information. Though continually under fire, he did not return until his reconnaissance was complete, a period of several hours.

BX April 19, 1917

Local Officer Wins Military Cross – Lieutenant Frederick William Derbyshire Led Bombing Party Most Gallantly

Lieut. Fred W. Derbyshire, of Brantford, has won further honor on the field of battle, having been recently decorated with the military cross. The official report says of him: “He gallantly led a party to the objective, bombing several dugouts, inflicted many casualties, and later rescued several wounded men under very heavy fire.”

About six months ago it was learned here that Pte. Derbyshire, as he had gone overseas, had won a commission on the field. In peace times Lieut. Derbyshire was a very active member of the Brantford Cricket Club, a prominent worker in Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F., a member of the Wellington Church choir and worked at the Massey-Harris plant.

BX January 17, 1916

Lieutenant Frederick William Derbyshire Had Close Call – Just Left the O’Neill Boys When Shell Burst that Killed Them

Mr. Ab. Plows of the Big 22 is in receipt of a letter from Lieut. Fred Derbyshire of the 19th Battalion, which will be of interest to Expositor readers:

December 31, 1915
Somewhere in France

Dear Ab.

Here I am sending you a line to say I am in the “pink.” No doubt you are amongst the many who read in the papers I had “gone west.” Far be it from such. I am just as much alive as ever after the awful times we have experienced in this terrible game of war. I have been very lucky so far, both in health and not being wounded, and I trust I shall be just as fortunate to the end. I am quite content to “carry on” to the end, hardships though we have to contend with. I have seen some awful sights. I had just left the O’Neill boys a few seconds when they were killed. I felt the concussion of the shell and helped to gather up their remains. Just today I helped to dress half a dozen boys who had been hit with what we call a “fish tail,” one of Fritz’s specialties. I tell you old boy, one gets hardened to such sights as we see.

You will no doubt have read I had been awarded a commission, granted on the field, I just did my duty, but the authorities saw fit to reward me.

I don’t know if you know Roy Smith of West Brantford. He was awarded the D.C.M. – a fine boy, Roy, and did fine work. He is in England wounded. George Patte was wounded; I think he will make Canada. You possibly knew Archie Fraser of Paris. He is back there now, badly broken in health, and here am I, “carrying on” as usual and still living in hopes of seeing this nasty business to a finish. I was granted ten days’ special leave home, and I assure you I had some time. I expect to be there again in a month or six weeks. We were badly cut up in the Somme, but all the boys who did not come through died game and honorably. I tell you some of the sights you see are awful, but it’s just like taking a meal – you get used to it. I am in charge of the battalion bombers and take patrols over “No Man’s Land” to see what Fritz is doing. He came over to see us one night, but we soon beat him back.

Well anyway, how are things in the old burg – rather dry? Wait until the boys come home. Twill be some time. There will be a few left behind, but some will be lucky and come back. I trust I shall be one. We have much yet to do here until this business is finished.

Kindly give my regards to all up at Harmony lodge. Hope to meet you all again some day. Excuse haste. Believe me to be, your old associate.

Lieut. F.W. Derbyshire,
Grenade Officer,
19th Battalion, 2nd Canadian
B.E.F. France

BX March 2, 1916

Frederick William Derbyshire Has Been Promoted

The many friends of Fred Derbyshire, 84 Cayuga Street, who left here with the second contingent, will be pleased to hear of his promotion to sergeant while on active service in France. Sergeant Derbyshire left Toronto with the 19th Battalion, and when he arrived in England joined the bombing section and was promoted to corporal. He has had many exciting experiences while on patrol duty in “no man’s land,” and is now a sergeant in “C” Company, 19th Battalion. Previous to his enlistment he was employed at the Massey-Harris Company’s works here.

BX October 13, 1916

Private Frederick William Derbyshire Gets Commission – For His Heroic Conduct in Leading a Platoon of 19th into Battle

Through his heroic conduct in leading the platoon with which he was connected in the 19th Battalion on the field of battle, Private Frederick W. Derbyshire of Brantford has been awarded a commission. Yesterday Mrs. W.K. Wilde, 4 George Avenue, received the news from her sister in England, Private Derbyshire being her nephew.

About a week ago her sister had a letter from Pte. Derbyshire, in which he stated that his name, along with several others, had been sent in despatches, and they were expecting him to get the D.C.M. or Military Medal. Another letter was received a week later stating that he had been promoted to a commission.

Along with eight others he was paraded before the commanding officer and then before the general, who, after asking them a few questions, told them that it was a great honor indeed to gain a commission on the field.

He left Brantford a private with the 19th Battalion. In peace times he was a very active member of the Brantford Cricket Club, a prominent worker in Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F., a member of the Wellington Street church choir, and widely known throughout this city. Prior to his enlistment he worked in the wood shop of the Massey-Harris plant. Mr. Derbyshire, 275 West Mill Street, is an uncle.

BX November 9, 1916

Bombing Officer of 19th Battalion – Private Frederick William Derbyshire Achieved His Ambition to Rise From the Ranks

To win a commission on the field had for a long time been the ambition of Private Frederick W. Derbyshire of this city, who went overseas with the 19th Battalion. Through his recent heroic conduct in leading a platoon into battle he, in company with eight others received this distinction. His promotion was announced in The Expositor some time ago, but the following letter received by his uncle, Chas. Derbyshire 275 West Mill Street, gives fuller particulars.

"Here I am writing you a line to let you know that I am still in the “pink.” You will be glad to hear I was mentioned and recommended for a commission for general good work during our recent activities. I have achieved my ambition to win a commission on the field. This was through orders yesterday, so now you can address me “Lieutenant.” There were eight of us chosen out of the battalion – what was left of us. We had a hard time of it, but I am glad to say I came through O.K. I never felt cooler in my life than when going into our first attack. It’s easy work going into an attack compared with what happens afterwards, when you have to hold what you have taken and Fritz wants it back. We got more than we went after and held it, as you would read about the battle on Sept. 15, which we started.

I tell you there are some awful sights, but we get quite used to them. Yesterday I was called to the orderly room and asked to take a position as bomb officer of the battalion, which I accepted. Those left of the old boys in this unit were glad to see me amongst them again.”

BX February 14, 1940

Frederick William Derbyshire

The death of Frederick William Derbyshire occurred Tuesday afternoon at his home, 45 Mohawk Street in his fifty-ninth year. News of his passing was received with the deepest regret throughout the city where he was so well and favorably known. Through his long association with the Welfare Department, he was a familiar figure in city life and respected by all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Derbyshire was born in Manchester England, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Derbyshire. He came to Canada 34 years ago and settled in Brantford. He went overseas as a private with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 and was there until 1919. Joining up with the 19th Battalion, he won his commission as Captain and was decorated with the Military Cross for bravery in action. He was a member of the Canadian Legion since returning to civilian life.

Prior to the war and for some time afterwards he was engaged as a bookkeeper by the Massey-Harris Company and his services for this firm totaled twenty-three years. He commenced work for the Welfare Department in 1930 and continued there until about three years ago. He had been in poor health for some time.

He was an Anglican by religion and fraternally was a member of Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F. Besides his sorrowing widow, formerly Miss Minnie Walton, he leaves to mourn his loss two sons, Frederick Lynn and William Henry, both at home. His mother, Mrs. W.E. Derbyshire, Manchester England; a sister, Mrs. Claris Jones, England; a half-brother, Percy Kenyon, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and two uncles and aunts, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Lynn, Cheshire, England; Mrs. William Wylde, Chatham, and C.T. Derbyshire, Brantford. Mr. Derbyshire is resting at the McCleister Funeral Home where funeral service will be held Friday afternoon with members of the Canadian Legion in attendance. An Odd Fellows’ service will be conducted at the home Thursday evening and interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

BX February 21, 1940

Derbyshire, Frederick William

Impressive Tribute was paid to the worth of the late Captain Frederick William Derbyshire, MC at funeral series conducted Friday afternoon from the McCleister Funeral Home in the presence of a large gathering of friends, among whom were members of the local Branch of the Canadian Legion, and many former comrades of the 19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, with whom the deceased saw active service in France. Mr. Derbyshire enlisted in Brantford in 1914 and was drafted into the 19th Battalion in Toronto and left Canada with that unit in May, 1915. He was awarded the Military Cross in July, 1917 as related in the London Gazette: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The enemy having gained a temporary footing in our front line trenches, he organized and led a patrol far into the enemy's lines in broad daylight, obtaining most valuable information.Though continually under fire, he did not return until his reconnaissance was complete, a period of several hours.”

He was decorated by King George V at Buckingham Palace.

Members of the 19th Battalion formers a guard of honor at the Funeral Home and at the interment in Mount Hope Cemetery, under their Commanding Officer Col. Harry C. Hatch, Hamilton. Other out-of-town comrades were Captain Barney-Clendenning and Peter Duff, Roy Smith, Vic Thompson, Charles Taylor, all of Toronto, Ernie Brown, Stratford, and Edgar Harold, Paris.

Roy T.D. Painting, Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, was the officiating clergyman. Harry Hughes rendered a solo, “Rock of Ages,” accompanied at the piano by Mrs. R. Ratcliffe.

Many beautiful floral offerings evidenced the high regard in which deceased was held in this community, among which were tribute’s from Col. H.C. Hatch, Hamilton; Canadian Legion, Brantford; Brantford Welfare Staff; Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F.; members of the Local 15, 19th Battalion Association and many others. The flowers bearers, all members of the I.O.O.F., were Bros. G. Osborne, A. Padfield, M. Brown, W.G. Dawson, W. Potter and R. Galloway.

The flag-draped casket was borne by William Vair, W. Cudmore, W.J. Haddow, Foster Hobbs, and Comrades Richard Radcliffe and Capt. Barney Clendenning. At the graveside the “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler Percy Gillingwater.

Thursday evening, brothers of Harmony Lodge No. 115, joined in the last rites of their order at the Funeral Home, with Mr. John Gilpin as Noble Grande and Bro. Fred Hayhurst as Chaplain.