On this day in 1915, Frederick ‘Fred’ George Snell (1897-1915) died from pulmonary tuberculosis while serving in the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry in the Great War.
Fred was a private (or trooper) in B Squadron of the 2nd Battalion of the regiment when he died on April 10, 1915 at Eastbourne Borough Sanitorium, aged 18.
A student at the Army School of Cookery in Eastbourne, he had been with his battalion in Teignmouth just a fortnight before he lost his life.
His graveside funeral service took place at Rewe Parish Churchyard on April 14, 1915.
A short tribute to Fred – delivered by a personal friend – was held at the home of his parents before his coffin was conveyed to the churchyard.
The cortege was led by NCOs and men of Fred’s battalion and the Last Post was sounded during the funeral service.
Mourners included representatives of the Independent Order of Rechabites – an organisation promoting total abstinence from alcohol – of which Fred was a member.
Paul Roberts
NOTES
Fred was the son of shepherd William Snell (1856- 1937) and Bessie White (1856-1928), of 1, Mill Cottages, Stoke Canon, Exeter. William was the son of John Snell (1822-1865) and Sarah Pridham (1826-1898). John was the son of Robert Snell (1790-1854) and Ann Adams (1799-1824). Robert was the son of Robert Snell (1754- 1838) and Sarah Roberts (1760-1837). Sarah was the daughter of William Roberts (1738-), my great-great-great-great-great grandfather.
Born in Shobrooke in 1897, Fred lived with his parents in Rewe in 1901. In 1911, aged 14, he was a bread baking apprentice, living in Silver Street, Thorverton and working for baker John Edworthy.
Picture below
The grave of Frederick ‘Fred’ George Snell – and his six-year-old sister, Elsie Maud Sarah – at Rewe Churchyard. Picture on Find a Grave, by Sprayerman.
