Private Frederick Ward Henry Williamson 6099056, 1/4th Bn., Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

Frederick Ward Henry Williamson was born in January 1916 and baptized at Bramley on 26 March of that year. He was the eldest of three children born to Frederick Ward and Annie Williamson. His father is listed as a Soldier on Frederick’s baptism entry and served with the RASC and died in 1921. He had a younger brother Kenneth and a younger sister Julie Annie.

The 1921 census lists Frederick living with his widowed mother and two siblings, together with his grandfather and two uncles at Hall Cottage Snowdenham, Bramley, Surrey.

Frederick married Thelma Wood in late 1938 at Stoke in Guildford.

The 1939 register of England lists them living at 67 Old Farm Road, in the north of Guildford. At this point, Frederick was working as a power knife operator in a vulcanized rubber factory. They had one son, David Keith Williamson born in 1940.

He enlisted in The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) in June 1940. Precise details of his service are not known, but he served in the UK and according to the Army casualty list for August 1941, he died as the result of an accident.

He was included in the Roll of Honour published in The Surrey Advertiser dated 31 July 1942.

'WILLIAMSON – In proud and loving memory of my dear husband, Frederick Ward Henry Williamson, killed on active service, August 2nd, 1941. Memories are treasures no one can steal, Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Peacefully sleeping, free from all pain, In God’s own time we shall meet again. From his ever loving Wife and little son.'

Frederick was buried at Bramley on 6 August 1941 and is also commemorated on the war memorial in the centre of the village.