COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Royal Berkshire were an infantry regiment and the regiment of choice for the majority of Steventon men at the outbreak of WW1. On 5th November 1914 the 2nd battalion were mobilised for war and landed at Le Havre attached to the 25th Brigade, 8th Division to engage in various actions on the Western Front.

Frederick Dearlove enlisted at Abingdon to the 2nd battalion, The Royal Berks and disembarked in France on 9 June 1915. On 25th September 1915 the aim was for 8th Division to capture about 1200 yards of the German front line, south and east of Bois-Grenier. The attack began at 6.00am with 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment attacking through the centre, 2nd Rifle Brigade on the right, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment on the left and 1st Royal Irish Rifles in support. Both flanking groups made good ground and captured both the front line and support trenches. However 2nd Royal Berkshire in the centre found a stronger defence and were not able to capture all the trenches allocated to them, leaving a sector still in German hands. This allowed the Germans to bring up reinforcements to counter-attack and, running out of bombs, the British positions were forced to abandon by mid-afternoon. Unfortunately Private Frederick Dearlove and Private Alan Hutchings (also from Steventon) were both killed in action that day, along with almost 1,400 allied troops. Frederick was aged 20 and Alan just 18.

Frederick's Father, George (from Aston Tirrold) married Louisa Mills (Steventon) at Steventon church in 1874 and lived at a cottage in Back Street (Pugsden Lane/Station Lane). Frederick was the youngest, and only son, of 11 children born to George and Louisa. By 1901 they were living in The Causeway (near the School). George Dearlove was a Corn Carrier, a job that Frederick took on as his father became too old. Frederick's Mother was listed as School Caretaker in the 1911 Census and by 1939 (after her retirement) was living as a widow with her Grandson William at 88 The Causeway (row of cottages at the back of the school - since demolished, now School Close).

For some additional information regarding this soldier. Please click here