Frederick Arthur Pickles

Early Life

Frederick was the son of Robert Henry and Lillian Pickles of Oak Bank, Fairfield, Manchester.

Service Life

Lance Corporal Frederick Arthur Pickles (3291) was serving with the Manchester Regiment when he was commissioned as an officer on 20 November 1915.

Frederick rose to the rank of Captain and served with the 12th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. For his service in the army, which included going overseas to France in July 1916, Frederick was awarded the Allied Victory Medal and British War Medal.

While serving with the 12th Battalion Frederick earned the Military Cross, ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when, his company being heavily attacked, he dealt with the situation with much coolness and skill, reconnoitring a sunken road and ascertaining the exact position of the enemy, thus bringing his fire most effectively to bear’ (London Gazette: 26 July 1918). Two of Frederick’s medals can be seen in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

We Shall Remember Him

Frederick was 25 years old when he died on 5 September 1918 of his wounds received during an attack on Thiepval Ridge on 25 August 1918. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France, (Grave/Memorial Reference – Officers, C.5.3). His Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in the Ladysmith Gallery memorial cabinet drawer 5.