Search for family of First World War soldier from Ossett to be honoured with special gravestone

A volunteer group are seeking to trace the family of a First World War soldier who served on the Western Front before being buried in Ossett.
A volunteer group are seeking to trace the family of a a First World War soldier who served on the Western Front before being buried in Ossett.A volunteer group are seeking to trace the family of a a First World War soldier who served on the Western Front before being buried in Ossett.
A volunteer group are seeking to trace the family of a a First World War soldier who served on the Western Front before being buried in Ossett.

Gunner James Frudd enlisted in October 1915, at the age of 47, and served on the Western Front.

He was placed on tunnelling duties, a vital role which involved digging tunnels under No Man's Land to place mines beneath enemy defensive positions.

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After being medically discharged, he re-enlisted to serve on home soil with the Royal Garrison Artillery, where he worked on coastal defences.

Gunner Frudd is currently commemorated on a special memorial within the chapelyard, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have now been granted permission to mark his grave with a Commission headstone.Gunner Frudd is currently commemorated on a special memorial within the chapelyard, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have now been granted permission to mark his grave with a Commission headstone.
Gunner Frudd is currently commemorated on a special memorial within the chapelyard, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have now been granted permission to mark his grave with a Commission headstone.

Gunner Frudd died of illness of July 14, 1918, and was buried at Ossett St John's Methodist Chapelyard.

He is currently commemorated on a special memorial within the chapelyard, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have been granted permission to mark his grave with a Commission headstone.

They are now seeking to trace a blood relative of Frudd's to choose an inscription on behalf of his family.

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Elizabeth Smith, CWGC’s Public Engagement Coordinator for the north of England, said: “We are now able to commemorate Gunner Frudd at his grave, and this gives us an opportunity to provide a new headstone with an inscription on behalf of his family.

"We are appealing for help to find a blood relative and offer them this chance.”

The CWGC have been helped in their efforts by the Ossett Fallen, a local volunteer group who have worked to document the achievements of hundreds of soldiers from Ossett who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

Alan Howe, from The Ossett Fallen group said: “Over a number of years we have been working hard to ensure that Ossett’s fallen from both World Wars are not forgotten by the local community. All of them are commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with some buried in churchyards in Ossett.

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"From my research I know that through his son Percy, James had a grandson, Arthur Frudd, who was well known in the area for his knowledge of natural history and used to have a column in the Ossett Observer.

"It would be wonderful to be able to track down a living relative of James Frudd so that they could have the opportunity to choose the inscription for his CWGC headstone.”

Anyone who is related to Gunner James Frudd and can provide documentary proof is asked to email [email protected] by 18th December 2020.

To learn more about the CWGC cemeteries and memorials in your local area visit: www.cwgc.org/exploreGB