Thank you to Wendy Shuttleworth for the following research.
Frederick was born in Dorking to William and Alice. William was a photographer, born in Devon and moving to Southampton, where he married Alice, and where they had their first daughter. They came to Dorking in 1888. Frederick was born in Wathen Road, Dorking on 20th June 1897 and was baptised on 16th July 1897 at St. Martin’s Church, Dorking.
In 1901, the family were still living in Wathen Road. The family had grown to include nine brothers and sisters, including Percy, who would also die in WW1.
The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 35 Wathen Road, and the family had increased by two more children. Frederick was a schoolboy at the Dorking British School.
After leaving school, Frederick worked at the Kings Store on South Street.
“HE PLAYED HIS PART”
Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Heal, Wathen Road, Dorking, in the loss of another son in the war, the second in a period of a little over nine months. In the early part of this week they received the intimation form the War Office that their seventh son, Gunner Frederick W. Heal, R.F.A was killed in action on August 9th, and a further particulars are given in a letter from the Chaplain, who says: “He was wounded in the head and was brought to the advance dressing station where I happened to be. I saw him, but he was unconscious, and despite all the kindly efforts of the doctors and the medical orderlies he passed away about 1.30pm. He was buried in one of our military cemeteries, in the garden of an old chateau (Bedford House, near Dickebasch)” The Chaplain adds in writing to the parents, “I wish….
Frederick Heal Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
GUNNER F. W. HEAL R.F.A.
… I could bring you some comfort in the midst of this terrible strain. However, I feel the knowledge that he played his part in the nation’s crisis “will not be without its comfort.” Gunner Heal was an old British School boy, and before the war was employed by Mr. L. O. King, South Street. He joined up in October, 1914, being then only 17 years of age. In July, 1915, he left for France, and went through the Ancre and the Somme. After nearly two years in France, in June last he came home, where he spent his 20th birthday. He was killed on the birthday of his brother Percy, who fell in November 1916. This makes the third son Mr and Mrs Heal have lost within three years. “Reg” died in October 1914, and though he was not in the Army there is no doubt his death was accelerated by war work, the result of extra strain entailed on him by his increased duties at the railway station where he was employed.
Frederick Heal Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Frederick joined the “A” Battalion, 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner. His regimental number was 39505. Frederick died of wounds in near Ypres on 9th August 1917 aged 20. He is buried in Bedford House Cemetery Enclosure No. 2. Plot number II. B. 15
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | William T. and Alice Francis Heal of 35 Wathen Road, Dorking | |
| Brother of | Percy James Heal | |
| School | Dorking British School (Powell Corderoy School) | |
| Enlisted | Guilford, Surrey | |
| Regiment | “A” Battery, 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | |
| Number | 39505 | |
| Date of Death | 9th August 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Flanders | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Cemetery | Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres |
