Pte Frederick Charles Everitt, 15432, 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, was killed in action in the battle of Loos in Flanders on September 26th, 1915.

The third son of Mr Thomas Everitt, of 12 Harcourt Street, Luton, he had been transferred to the Essex Regiment from the 8th Bedfords and had gone out to the front shortly before his death. Initially he was reported missing.

A comrade wrote to Mr Everitt to say they went into action on the Saturday night [September 25th], and early the next morning they left the trenches to attack the German position.

"When we had gone about 600 yards we were caught by a dozen or more machine guns which were placed in the houses of the village. We were given orders to retire then, and that was where we parted. I am sorry to tell you Fred never came back with us to the rest camp, and all I can tell you is that he is missing.

"I cannot say whether he was wounded or not. I have to thank my lucky star that I never got hit, for they sent bullets all around me without touching my skin. I hope by the time you get this you will have heard news of him."

A letter from Pte Everitt's eldest brother, Tom, in the 8th Bedfords, suggested he thought his brother was wounded. "I hope Fred is not hurt badly and will soon be well again," he wrote. "I tried to find him but I could not, and we moved off next day."

Confirmation of Pte Everitt's death came on October 31st from the Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 7th Battalion London Regiment. He wrote to Mrs Everitt at 'Hillfoot,' Crescent Rise, Luton: "Your husband was apparently killed in action on or about September 25th, during the great advance, but it is difficult to determine the exact date. He received a Christian burial quite close to where he fell. He was buried by the 7th Battalion London Regiment. I am, for obvious reasons, unable to tell you the exact spot, but will do so at some future date. I conclusion, may I be permitted to sympathise with you in your great loss."

Pte Everitt was a son of Thomas and Rhoda Everitt. Just a few months before going to the Front - on February 20th, 1915 - he had married Amy Russell, a daughter of William Russell, in Luton. She was probably born in High Wycombe and cook to solicitor Douglas Edwin Cooke, living in Studley Road, Luton, at the time of the 1911 Census, and then later in Crescent Road.