JOSELAND Frederick Osborn

Frederick Joseland was the son of Mr and Mrs G.A. Wood Joseland.  He attended Worcester Royal Grammar School from 1905 to 1908 and later worked for the National and Provincial Bank.

Source for additional information: In Dedication to a Future World By Mark Rogers, 1999.

A photograph of Lieutenant F. Joseland of Worcester can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 23rd September 1916, available at Worcestershire Archives.

The following information has been researched by Geoff Hill:
1911 Census
35 Park Avenue
Frederick Osborn Joseland, aged 19, bank clerk
At the same address: George Alfred Wood Joseland (father), builder and contractor; mother, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

The Medal Roll Index Card for Frederick Osborn Joseland records him as Inns of Court OTC Private No.4858, and later as 2nd Lieutenant 1st/12th Battalion London Regiment (TF). His enlistment in the Inns of Court OTC suggests he may have been training to be a barrister.

The Battle of the Somme commenced on the 1st July 1916. The 1st/12th Battalion London Regiment was involved in the action known as the Battle of Ginchy, which opened on the 9th September 1916. The 1st/12th Battalion London Regiment involvement was at Leuze Wood. During the advance of 9th September, 56th (1st London) Division in XIV Corps, were in the area of the wood, east of Guillemont. They had launched an attack on trenches south of the wood the previous day, 8th September, which had gained some ground before being forced back.

On the 9th September the Division was on the right of XIV Corps’ area of attack, the 169th Infantry Brigade again advancing south-east out Leuze Wood and the 168th Infantry Brigade north towards a strong point known as The Quadrilateral. The 167th Infantry Brigade was in reserve. The 1st/12th London Regiment was one of six London rifle battalions which led the attack for the 168th Infantry Brigade. The Division managed to capture substantial areas of the trenches, advancing the line more than 1000 yards (1km) in places, but were not able to take The Quadrilateral itself.

Frederick Joseland has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Thiepval Memorial.