Frederick Reginald Hart was born on 17 January 1894 in Marylebone, the second of the three children of Frederick Hart (1867-1947) and Lizzie Maria Hart née Sapseid (1867-1956). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1894 in the Marylebone registration district. On 11 March 1894 he was baptised in St Mary's Church, Bryanston Square, Westminster, where the baptismal register shows the family living at 32 Wyndham Street, Marylebone and that his father was a manager of a mineral water manufacturer.
The 1901 census confirms he was still living at 32 Wyndham Street, with his parents, his elder sister Beatrice Emma Hart (1890-1977) and a female boarder. His father was still shown as a mineral water manager.
When his father completed the 1911 census return form he is shown as a solicitor's clerk, still residing in the nine roomed property of 32 Wyndham Street, with his parents, his two sisters: Beatrice Emma Hart who was a Post Office clerk and Grace Lillian Hart (1904-2002) who was listed as at school, together with two female boarders.
In January 1911 he enlisted in the 13th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Kensington), service number 1176 and was serving a Corporal when his battalion joined the British Expeditionary Force in France from 4 November 1914 until 4 January 1915 when he received his commission in the 1st Battalion, The Hertfordshire Regiment.
On 13 November 1916 he was wounded at the Battle of Ancre and was eventually evacuated to England where he died, aged 23 years, on 28 January 1917, his death being registered in the 1st quarter of 1917 in the Steyning registration district, Sussex. His body was buried in Plot 1C, Grave 14546, in Paddington Old Cemetery, Willesden Lane, London, NW6 7SD. Probate records confirm that his address had been 32 Wyndham Street, Marylebone, but that he died on 28 January 1917 at 20 Brunswick Square, Middlesex. (This is at odds with the fact that his death was registered in the Steyning registration district). Administration was granted on 9 July 1917 to his father and his effects totalled £126-16s-5d. By 1 August 1917 his army effects totalling £103-11s-0d had been sent to his father who was also sent his £6-0s-0d war gratuity on 8 October 1920.
Having already been awarded the Military Cross, he was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and these were sent to his father at 211 Camden Road, London, NW1.
He is shown as Hart. F.R. Lieut. M.C. 1st.Herts.Reg. on the Quebec Chapel War Memorial. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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