Frederick William Price

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Belgium, Birmingham, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Frederick Price, Hong Kong, Joseph Price, St Peter's Church

The brother of Joseph Price, Frederick William was born in Wolverhampton in 1888 to Albert George Price and his wife Mary Ann (nee Grainger). Mary died in 1897, and Albert remarried, moving the family to Birmingham. The marriage was not a success, and he enrolled two of his four sons in the Middlemore Homes, and the youngest was sent to live with an aunt and uncle. Only Fred remained with his father.

Frederick joined the Army in 1906 as a regular with the 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (service number 8417), serving in many far flung places. At the outbreak of war, he was in Hong Kong. The battalion returned to the UK and was sent to the front line just before Christmas 1914. On 29 January 1915 Fred died of wounds and was buried at Voormezeele Enclosures No. 1 and No. 2 in Belgium. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in the Lady Chapel of St Peter’s Church.

Joseph Price

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Battle of Neuve Chapelle, Canada, Joseph Price, Spanbroekmolen, Wiltshire Regiment

One of our followers on our Facebook page, Sarah Birch, has shared the following story about her great uncle, who died on this day 100 years ago today.

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Quite rightly, this week a lot has been written about the Battle at Neuve Chapelle, which was happening 100 years ago. BUT, this wasn’t the only battle ongoing at the time. Today marks the centenary of the death of my Great Uncle, Pte 11844 Joseph Price, 1st Btn Wiltshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 12 March 1915 while taking part in a battle at Spanbroekmolen, which had been devised to prevent the Germans from throwing everything possible at Neuve Chapelle. The Wilts, together with the Worcesters attacked through fog and suffered the consequences. Joe was buried near to where he fell along with comrades, but subsequent fighting resulted in his grave being lost and so today he is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Joe had a sad and short life. Born in Wolverhampton in 1890, the son of Albert George Price and his wife Mary Ann (nee Grainger). In 1897 Mary died, leaving Albert with four young sons. The eldest remained with him, the youngest went to live with an aunt and uncle, and the two middle boys entered the Middlemore Home in Birmingham. His father remarried, unsuccessfully. In 1899, Joe and his younger brother Tom were sent to Canada. Joe was placed with the Currie family in New Brunswick, but never settled. Somehow, he made his way home, and enlisted in Canning Town shortly after the outbreak of war. He was sent to the front in early 1915 and attached to the Wiltshire Regiment. His death came just 6 weeks after that of his elder brother, Fred. Today his medals hang in our hall, and he is remembered.