Frederick William A REVELL

Image from the Oxford Journal Illustrated, 4 September 1918, p.6.

Frederick Revell was born in the spring of 1899 in Oxford. He was the son of Alfred and Annie Revell of the Farrier’s Arms pub in Cold Harbour, at the far southern end of the Abingdon Road; the Cox family later lived nearby. Alfred had been born in Oxford in early 1863 and Annie (née Webster) had been born in Thame in 1863/64; they were married in 1884/85. In 1901 Alfred was working as a butcher's slaughterman, and in 1911 as a butcher. During this period Annie was probably running the pub. By 1913 Alfred was described in the local street directory as a 'beer retailer'. The butcher's business remained in the Revell family well into the 20th century.

Alfred and Annie had eight children: John (born 1888/89); Alfred (1889/90); Elsie (1894/95); Florence (1896/97); Frederick (1899); Ada (1901, who seems to have died before 1911); Stanley (1902/03); and another child who was probably born in around 1892/93 but who died in infancy. By 1911 the oldest son John had left home but Alfred, Elsie, Florence, Frederick and Stanley were still living with their parents at the Farrier's Arms. Elsie's occupation was described as 'assisting in the house' (probably meaning that she was serving behind the bar).

Frederick enlisted initially with the 3rd/4th Battalion of the Oxf & Bucks Light Infantry, service no. 201932, but he was transferred to become a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, service no. 108000 (sometimes recorded as no. 208000). He was killed on 10 August 1918, aged 19, whilst serving with the 12th Division during a phase of the Second Battle of the Somme. The British were commencing offensive operations on the same ground over which the 1916 Battle of the Somme had been fought. This time they made a significant two-mile advance.

Frederick was buried in the Morlancourt British Cemetery No 2 at the Somme. ‘Ever in our thoughts’ was inscribed on his gravestone at the request of his father.

Frederick's older brother Alfred (also known as Harry) followed their father into the butchery trade. He also fought in the War, but survived. In May 1923, when he was 33, he married Rose Andrews (10 years his junior) at St Matthew's church. She came from 192 Marlborough Road, and her father Herbert was a motor painter. The couple lived at Red Cottage, near the Farrier's Arms pub and the butcher's shop, and went on to have at least three children, all of whom were baptised at St Matthew's church: Hazel (born 1925); Frederick (1928, named after his uncle); and Margaret (1932).

Frederick's younger brother Stanley worked as a motor driver and in February 1930, when he was 28, he married Emmeline Violet Adams of Weirs House, Cold Harbour, at St Matthew's church. She was a 25-year-old shop assistant and her father Henry was a grocer. Stanley's father Alfred was still publican at the Farrier's Arms at this time. Stanley and Emmeline lived at the Farrier's Arms and had at least one child, June, who was baptised at St Matthew's church in January 1931.

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