CLAXTON Frederick Harold

Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 records: Linesman, Imperial Military Railway, died of disease on 31st December 1901 at Bloemfontein

Frederick Claxton was born on 18th July 1880 in Tenbury, Worcestershire the son of the Reverend William Claxton. By the time he entered Form V Kings School in January 1895 the family were resident at Sunnyside, Woolston, Southampton. Frederick had previously been educated by Mr Lloyds at Winchfield. He became a Kings Scholar in 1894 and left the school from Form VI in midsummer 1896.

On 27th March 1900 at the age of 20 Frederick enlisted in London as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, service no 6267, for a period of one year. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He gave his trade as an Electrical Engineer and his next of kin as his father William Claxton, Navestock Vicarage, Romford, Essex. Frederick saw service in South Africa from April 1900 to November 1900 for which he was awarded the South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony and Transvaal. His service records show that he was discharged on 24th November 1900 “in consequence of his own request, his services not being further required.” Frederick does not appear on the 1901 census for England, Wales and Scotland although his parents William and Emily are recorded as being resident in Essex. It is therefore possible that he had re-enlisted in the army and was taking part in the fighting in South Africa.