AB
Frederick Lewis Rings
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 21/07/1897 |
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Place of birth: Dulwich, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Draftsman |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Able Seaman |
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Service number: R/3299 |
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Enlistment date: 09/08/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Guildford, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Nelson Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 28/10/1917 |
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Place of death: East of Varlet Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 20 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 2A |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Able Seaman Frederick Lewis Rings, a former draughtsman, served in the 5th (Nelson) Battalion which was part of the 2nd Royal Naval Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. His Battalion held the line shortly after the Second Battle of Passchendaele (26th October 1917). Born to German speaking parents who emigrated and married in the U.K., he was christened Fritz Ludwig at birth, but later changed his name to Frederick Lewis.
On the 27th of October 1917 the Nelson Battalion moved up to the front line from Irish Camp and relieved the Hood Battalion. The War Diary gives a detailed record of the positions of the various companies of the 5th (Nelson) Battalion during this time. D-Company took up position 300 yards (ca. 275 meters) east of Varlet Farm. Behind them were A-Company and C-company, which respectively held a line extending north west from the Cemetery, 300 yards south of Wallemolen to the road running from Inch Houses to Wallemolen (V27 d 6. 0.) and a line running north west from the same road (D3 b 1. 9.) and running in front of Inch Houses (to V27 c 2. 7). B-Company was in support in the rear (D3 c. 1. 8.).
After dark on the 28th of October D-Company attacked a Pillbox (V28 c 6. 4.) 75 yards (ca. 70 meters) in front of their line. On the 29th the Battalion was relieved and returned to the rear. The War Diary states that, in addition to the officer casualties, 12 other ranks were killed. Able Seaman Frederick Lewis Rings was most likely part of D-Company and was one of the 12 men that were killed in the attack on the enemy pillbox.
On the 27th of October 1917 the Nelson Battalion moved up to the front line from Irish Camp and relieved the Hood Battalion. The War Diary gives a detailed record of the positions of the various companies of the 5th (Nelson) Battalion during this time. D-Company took up position 300 yards (ca. 275 meters) east of Varlet Farm. Behind them were A-Company and C-company, which respectively held a line extending north west from the Cemetery, 300 yards south of Wallemolen to the road running from Inch Houses to Wallemolen (V27 d 6. 0.) and a line running north west from the same road (D3 b 1. 9.) and running in front of Inch Houses (to V27 c 2. 7). B-Company was in support in the rear (D3 c. 1. 8.).
After dark on the 28th of October D-Company attacked a Pillbox (V28 c 6. 4.) 75 yards (ca. 70 meters) in front of their line. On the 29th the Battalion was relieved and returned to the rear. The War Diary states that, in addition to the officer casualties, 12 other ranks were killed. Able Seaman Frederick Lewis Rings was most likely part of D-Company and was one of the 12 men that were killed in the attack on the enemy pillbox.
Sources 5
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/830822/rings,-frederick/ Sources used |
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Naval & Military Archive http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |
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Roy Swales, ‘Nelson at war 1914-1918 : A history of Nelson Battalion of the Royal Naval Division,’ Pen & sword select, 2004, p. 174-176. Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |