Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: Royal Sussex Regiment; 10th Bn. Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment.
Service Number(s): G/17670
Occupation: Grocer’s Assistant
Date of Birth: 16.01.1877
Place of Birth: Stopham, Sussex
Date of Death: 14.02.1917
Place of Death: Balkans
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Gorre British and Indian Cemetery. 111.C.12.
Address: 30 Silvester Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: George Crisp and Mary Ann Crisp – both born in Pulborough, Sussex.
Siblings: George, John, and Susan Crisp.
Frederick married Emily Harriet Holloway on 8th October 1902 in Brighton, Sussex. They had two children – George Frederick, born 2nd February 1907, and Elsie May, born 14th March 1909.
First World War Experience
Frederick enlisted on 1st December 1915 when he was 39 years and 5 months old. He was 5’ 6¼” tall, had a chest measurement of 33” (expansion 3”), and weighed 123lbs. He had 6/6 vision in both eyes, had a plate in both his upper and lower jaw, and two vaccination marks on his left arm. Overall his physical development was rated as Poor. He gave his religion as Church of England and stated that his civilian job was that of a Grocer’s Assistant.
Frederick died on 14th February 1917 of Bronchitis and the following report appeared in a local newspaper headed “Tales from the Balkans”:-
The sad intelligence of the death of Private Frederick Crisp, Royal West Kent Regiment, from bronchitis contracted in the trenches, has been received.
Private Crisp, whose home was at 30, Silvester-road, was in the employment of Mr. D. B. McGregor in Station-road, and was 40 years of age. He leaves a widow and two children. Private Crisp joined up last June [in actual fact, he enlisted on 1.12.1915] and went out to the Front in October. His health had not been satisfactory since enlisting. He had resided at Bexhill about eighteen months, and came from Havant, where he occupied a responsible position in the establishment of Messrs. Levett and Fry, and was well-known and respected, having been there for many years. He joined the Royal Sussex Regiment, but was transferred to the Royal West Kents.”
Frederick was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal and Emily was awarded a weekly pension of 22s 11d.