Army Service Corps
His military records show he was born on the 3rd August 1865 and research shows this was in Bethnal Green, Hackney, London to Frederick Charles and Christina (nee MacPherson). Between 1869 and by the 1871 census, Frederick was aged 5 and they had moved to Elizabeth Cottage, Robert Street, Rotherhithe.
In 1885, he was attested for military service and joined the Army Service Corps
He met his wife Bridget Agnes and they married on 14th November 1894 whilst posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was initially recorded as Church of England but perhaps converted to Roman Catholic 1st December 1894. This coincides with their marriage, so probably converted to Catholicism at the same time.
Between 1895 and 1899, Frederick and Bridget are together in Nova Scotia and in the years that follow begin their family with the birth of their son John Carmody on 21st May 1895. Less than two years later, Christina Mary is born 1st January 1897 and then Muriel Violet 8th February 1899.
In 1901, the family are living at 51 Nightingale Terrace, Woolwich. Frederick is absent and is serving overseas in the Boer War. resident at 67 Sxxxx Road Wool….
In 1903, when in Colchester he is living at 2, Old Heath Road, Colchester 12th April 1905 Frederick Sebastian Percy
Leaves the services as a pensioner in 1910. At the outbreak of World War One he re-enlists as a reservist at Colchester, but next of kin, Bridget Agnes is 67 [xxx??] Road, Woolwich He died at Bromley, Kent around December 1942.
Family
- Bridget Agnes 1869 (nee Ryan). Irish of origin
- John Carmody 1895-1973 Born 21st May 1895 Born in Nova Scotia. Died in Lancashire
- Christina Mary 1897 Born 1st January 1897 Born in Nova Scotia
- Muriel Violet 1899-1928 Born 8th February 1899 Born in Nova Scotia
- Frederick Sebastian Percy 1904 - 1940 Born in Colchester, 12th April 1904. Joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died in action as a Lance Corporal at Dunkirk 29th May 1940. Commemorated on the UK Army Roll of Honour and on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Military:
Distinguishing features at time of enlistment showed he was 5 foot 5 ½ inches, 139lbs, Eyes: Hazel with light brown hair and fresh complexion. He had a tattoo of an anchor on the left forearm and a small mole below the right nipple.
Military Milestones:
- Service Number S/6453
- 3rd November 1885 Attested as Private
- 3rd November 1885 Home Service
- 28th May 1892 Posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 1897 Recorded as Sergeant (Royal Standard Lodge)
- 29th November 1897 Home Service
- 1899 Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant (Nil Sine Labore)
- 1st November 1899 Posted South Africa (Natal 1901 & Pretoria in 1902)
- 20th December 1902 Home Service
- 1903 Staff Sergeant Major Army Service Corps (Comrades)
- 1907-1910 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major – Chief Clerk to Officer Commanding A.S.C Colchester District
- 20th November 1910 Discharged from Service as an Army Pensioner
At the outbreak of the First World War, he was aged 49 years and 2 months in October 1914, providing the accurate birth date of c. August 1865. His military records show reference to Date of Birth as 3rd August 1865.
When signing a Short Service Attestation in relation to War there is a caveat which states: “For a term of one year unless War lasts longer than one year, in which case you will be retained until War is over. If employed with Hospitals, depots of Mounted Units, and as Clerks, etc., you may be retained after the termination of hostilities until your services can be spared, but such retention shall in no case exceed six months. If, however, the War is over in less than one year you may be discharged at once”
• 20th October 1914 Joined (re-Attested) at Colchester into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) – Army Service Corps: Regimental Number: S/2SR/01295. Promoted to 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major. • 20th October 1914 posted to 27 New Coy (Home Service) • 1st April 1916 posted to 373 (Motor Transport) Company, A.S.C. (Home Service) • 16th November 1916 he was “discharged free having been appointed to a temporary commission in the Army Service Corps. Service Medals: • South African 99-02 (Kings) 2 Clasps • South African 99-02 (Queens) 2 Clasps • Long Service and Good Conduct MedalHis character on leaving described as Exemplary, unsurprising after 25 years in the colours and then 2 further years as a reservist.
Masonic:
He was initiated into Royal Standard Lodge, which meets in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, whilst it was located at Freemasons Hall, Barrington Street.
He joined Nil Sine Labore (Nothing without Labour – the latin motto of the Army Service Corps) Lodge very soon after its consecration and met in the Criterion Restaurant in London.
One of the 25 petitioners not named individually on the Warrant of Constitution.
During his time at Comrades Lodge, he was probably the Inner Guard or Steward in the first year, and then elevated to Junior Deacon (1904), Senior Deacon (1905), JW (1906), SW (1908) and becoming 6th Worshipful Master of Comrades Lodge 1908 -1909. He appears not to have taken up any non-progressive offices following his year in the chair, having resigned in 1910.