ID: IYS_153 / Edwin Sparrow

TitleFrederick James Oxenham of Great Wigborough died 23 May 1917
Abstract

OXENHAM, Frederick James
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment: London Regiment (City of London Rifles) : 6th Battalion.
Age 22
Date of death 23 May 1917
Service No. 322328

Frederick was born in Kings Norton, Birmingham, the son of Frederick and Amelia Oxenham. The 1901 Census shows the family at Moulshams, Great Wigborough - the head was Frederick J. Oxenham, farmer, born Radstock, Somerset. Wife Amelia née Poyntz who had married Frederick in 1890 at Cardiff. She was born Brecon, Merthyr, Wales. They married in Cardiff in 1890 - Frederick had previously been married to Arabella Mabel Strong (or Steeds) in Somerset. Children Florence age 12 born Newport, Monmouth.; Gertrude age 10, born Cardiff; Winifred 9, born Birmingham; John, 8, born Birmingham; Ida, 7, born Birmingham; Frederick J. 6, born Kings Norton, Birmingham and Herbert, 5, born Birmingham.

By the 1911 census, the family had left Wigborough and are living at 100 Amity Road, West Ham. Frederick senior is described as Retired Private Means. Frederick James is 16 and a 'Haller and Hosier Assistant'.

Frederick's medal card shows Oxenham, Frederick J. Private London Regiment number 5119 , also a second set of information applies when he left the training battalion.:- Private London Regiment number 322328. He is listed under the 6th (Reserve) Battalion in August 1914, which was in Hounslow. It was a training unit, which remained in England and Ireland throughout the war. It is not known which unit he was fighting with prior to his death. He is recorded as 'Died of Wounds, France and Flanders'.

Frederick earned the 1914-1915 Star; 1914-1920 War Medal; 1914-1919 Victory Medal.

Frederick is buried at Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France
He is commemorated on the War Memorial in Great Wigborough Parish Church

Read More:
Great Wigborough War Memorial

From "If You Shed a Tear" by Ted Sparrow, Part 2.
15 July 2020 formatted for web by Tony Millatt. The Wigborough history was updated with information from the 1911 census.

Edwin Sparrow obtained special dispensation from a number of agencies including the CWGC and The War Graves photographic project regarding copyright on their material used in "If YOu Shed a Tear". The IWM granted a non commercial licence for their material used in the book, in view of the nature of the book being commemorative rather than published for commercial reasons.

AuthorEdwin Sparrow
SourceMersea Museum
IDIYS_153