CRICH PARISH

Crich, Fritchley, Whatstandwell, Bullbridge, Crich Carr, Coddington, Wheatcroft, Wakebridge

Frederick Wragg (Rodgers) (1886–1916) ✞

Private

Biography
The Fritchley-born Rodgers brothers, Amos, George, James plus Frederick Wragg, were the sons of William and Harriet Rodgers. Frederick Wragg was born to their mother, Harriett Wragg, in 1886 before she married William Rodgers in 1889. William and Harriett were to lose three of their sons.

Born in 1886, Frederick worked as a quarryman before enlisting in the Grenadier Guards at Derby. He entered France in December 1915 and died of his wounds on 18th August 1916 aged thirty after being transferred back to the UK. He is buried in Crich Churchyard. It is possible that he is the F. Rodgers on the Sawmills Memorial – his half-brothers Amos, George and James are on the Roll of Honour. In 1911 Frederick was recorded in the census as Frederick Rodgers.

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Courier ,26 August 1916
Grenadier Guardsman death from wounds
War’s toll on the nation’s manhood was vividly bought before the minds of the Crich people on Tuesday, when the internment of Private Fred Wragg, 3rd Grenadier Guards, of Crich, took place with military honours at the Parish Church. Private Wragg was wounded in France early in July, the intimation being conveyed to his Uncle Mr James Wragg, of Cliffe House, Crich in a letter from an army chaplain which appeared in the “Courier” at the time. He was wounded in the head by a bullet which injured his skull and he was sent to the County London Hospital, Epsom, but his chance of recovery was hopeless and he passed away last Friday. Sergt W.Curzon, Crich, who is in the same hospital was with him up to his death. The body was bought to Ambergate on Monday and later to Cliffe House for internment the following day. Practically the whole of the parish, in addition to a number of people from Holloway and Ambergate, assembled at the Churchyard to pay their tribute of respect to the dead soldier while nearly every blind was drawn in the upper end of Crich. The procession was headed by the Crich Silver Band. Mr S.Hollingsworth conducting, and the Dead March was impressively played. Draped with the Union Jack the coffin was born by Private Wragg’s fellow workmen of peace times, whilst in addition to the family mourners the workmen connected with the Clay Cross Companies quarries and lime works at Crich followed. The firm was represented by Messrs. E.H.Huddlestone and H. B Boag. A squad of the 1st Notts and Derbys, with Lance Corporal Knipe in charge, also followed.
After the service in church, and after the committal rites had been carried out by the Rev James Williams, the band gathered at the head end of the grave and played “Lead, kindly light,” followed by the “Last Post,” the bugler being drummer Benton of the Notts and Derbys. From the church the band led the procession back to Cliffe House with the march “Farewell my Comrades”. Later, with the bells deeply muffled, Messrs. T.Stimpson, B.Bowler, C.Walters (Pentrich), G.Brown, W. Drake, and Gunner J.Worthy rang a peal of 480 Grandshire doubles. The large number of beautiful floral tributes sent included a wreath from Messrs. E.H. Huddleston and H.B.Boag, and wreaths from “Officers and Staff” and “ Comrades” of County London Hospital, Epsom the latter being designed in red white and blue.
Private Wragg, who was 31 years of age and enlisted in the Grenadiers nearly eighteen months ago. He was generally regarded as the smartest soldier sent from Crich to the present war, and his progress in marksmanship was a feature of his training. It resulted in his winning several shooting competitions. He was formerly a member of Crich Band. His half brother Seaman W Rogers was lost on the “Black Prince.”
His half brother was Seaman James Rodgers.

Fred is on the memorial plaque to the fallen in St Mary's Church, Crich

Fred's name is inscribed on the south face of Crich war memorial

Amos, James and Frederick Rodgers are remembered on the Sawmills Memorial

Sawmills memorial in the Village Hall

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals
He entered France 09/12/15 and died of his wounds.

Ancestry Record
He enlisted at Derby, was a guardsman serving with the 3rd Battalion, and died of his wounds in the UK

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Fred's headstone in St Mary's Church, Crich

Soldiers' Effects Book
Frederick Wragg; 5th Bn Grenadier Guards; Private 22854; died of wounds 18.8.16; war Gratuity £6 10s; paid out to:
5.12.16 cousin Miss Agnes Buxton ££9 17s 6d
5.12.16 uncle James £1 2s 6d on account of funeral expenses
16.9.19 cousin Agnes Buxton £6 10s 0d

Fred Wragg (Rodgers) half-brothers Amos Rodgers , George Rodgers and James Rodgers are also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Crich

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
James	Wragg	Head	64	Limestone quarryman	Sheffield
Mary	Wragg	wife	54		Crich
George	Wragg	son	14	Limestone quarryman	Crich
Frederick	Wragg	g.son	5		Crich

RG12 piece 2746 folio 92 page 9

1901: Town End, Crich

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
Mary	Wragg	Head (wdw)	66		Crich
Frederick	Wragg	g.son	16	Limestone quarry worker	Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 41 page 2

1911: Fritchley

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
William	Rodgers	Head	48	Lime burner	Fritchley
Harriett	Rodgers	wife	46		Crich
Fred	Rodgers	son	25	Labourer in quarry	Crich
Amos	Rodgers	son	22	Engine driver	Fritchley
James	Rodgers	son	19	Miner underground	Fritchley
Annie	Rodgers	daughter	17	Hosiery worker	Crich
Polly	Rodgers	daughter	15	French polisher	Crich
George	Rodgers	son	13		Fritchley
Emily	Rodgers	daughter	10		Fritchley

RG14PN20983 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED12 SN169

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