FREDERICK WILLIAM HEDGES, VC
1896-1954
During World War 1, on the 24th October 1918, at the age 21 years Frederick William Hedges was awarded the Victoria Cross as a result of action north-east of Bousies, France.
On the 6th August 1914, aged 17 years, he enlisted as a Private in the 1/9th Battalion, London Regiment and on 15th April 1915 he transferred to the Regiment’s 3/9th Battalion. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 9th (Reserve) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment on 6th July 1915 and left for operational service in France on 4th November 1915.
Frederick was evacuated home to No. 3 Northern General Hospital in Sheffield after being wounded in action on 27th January 1916. He remained there until 15th March 1916 and returned to France on 2nd September 1916 but received a wound to the right hand on 10th April 1917. On 19th April 1917 he was again evacuated home, this time he was treated at No. 5 Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth and later at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Promoted to Lieutenant on 1st July 1917 and posted to the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on the same day and returned to light duties with the Regiment’s 3rd (Reserve) Battalion on 12th October 1917.
Having been passed fit for general service at a medical review board on 21st December 1917, he returned to active service in France on 25th September 1918. Within a month Frederick was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation, published in the London Gazette of 31st January 1919, read –
For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the operations north-east of Bousies on the 24th October 1918
He led his company with great skill towards the final objective, maintaining direction under the most difficult conditions. When the advance was held up by machine-gun posts, accompanied by one Sergeant and followed at some considerable distance by a Lewis-gun section, he again advanced and displayed the greatest determination, capturing six machine guns and 14 prisoners.
His gallantry and initiative enabled the whole line to advance, and tended largely to the success of subsequent operations.
On 7th November 1918 he was again evacuated home having sustained a gunshot wound to his head and right shoulder on 4th November 1918, and was passed fit for light duties on 2nd May 1919.
He was appointed as Commandant POW Camp in No. 8 Group Prisoner-of-War Camps at Fulwell, Guildford on 19th June 1919.
Frederick relinquished his commission, but retained the rank of Lieutenant, on 14th April 1920 having suffered a compound fracture of the right leg in a motorcycle accident on 27th September 1919.
On 15th May 1919, Frederick was decorated with the Victoria Cross by H.M. King George V in the Quadrangle of Buckingham Palace. His V.C. and medals are held and displayed at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regimental Museum, Luton Museum, Wardown Park, Luton, Bedfordshire.
He attended a civic reception in his home town with his fiancée, Mollie Lorna Kenworthy when he was presented with a gold watch and chain and £100 in War Bonds.
Frederick William was born 22nd November 1896 in Umbala India and baptised there in the Church of St. Paul on 17th December 1896 He was the seventh of nine children born to Henry George Hedges and Harriet Eliza nee Loader.
Frederick and Mollie married at Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow, Middlesex on 26th July 1919 and they had one son, John Grosvenor Hedges born in 1924.
John died in a boating accident on 14th November 1941 in the River Thames, at Sunbury Court Island, Sunbury, Middlesex, he was 17 years old. His body was not recovered until Saturday, 13th December. The cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning. Accidental Death. There was a Post Mortem, and an Inquest was held 18th December 1941. John was in the Home Guard and, at the time of the accident, was wearing full kit and on his way to report for duty.
After the death of his Son, Frederick apparently suffered from depression and committed suicide by hanging at his home in Harrogate on 29th May 1954. There was an Inquest on 31st May 1954 followed by cremation at Stonewall Crematorium, Harrogate on 2nd June 1954.