Frederick Charles Vivian – Welsh Regiment, 14th Battalion

Private Frederick Charles Vivian – Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion

Birth and Family Background

Frederick Charles Vivian

Harry Vivian and Rosa Willis
marriage certificate
St Mark’s Church, Lyncombe, Somerset

Frederick Charles Vivian was born in 1894 at Oystermouth, the son of Harry Vivian and Rosa Willis. His parents were married in 1880 at St Mark’s Church, Lyncombe, Somerset.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were residing at The Elms Hotel and Stables, Oystermouth. Harry Vivian (49), born in Bath, was employed as an innkeeper and livery stable proprietor, while his wife Rosa (44), also born in Bath, managed the household.

Their children were Maud W. (20), Ada B. (17), Christopher J. (9), and Frederick C. (7). The two youngest children were attending school.

1911 Census

Harry Vivian died in 1902, and by the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved to 8 Westbourne Place, Mumbles. Rosa Vivian (54) was recorded as living on independent means.

Children still residing at home were Maud Willis Baines (30), Ada Blanche Vivian (27), and Frederick Charles Vivian (18), who was employed as an upholsterer. Also present were Maud’s children, Harry Vivian Baines (5) and Reginald Arthur Baines (2).

Military Service

Frederick Charles Vivian enlisted in the British Army and served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion.

In March 1916, the 14^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, was serving on the Western Front as part of the 38^th (Welsh) Division, holding sections of the line in northern France, particularly around the Béthune sector. The battalion’s duties consisted mainly of routine but hazardous trench warfare, including manning front-line trenches, repairing defences, wiring parties, and maintaining positions under constant threat of enemy artillery fire, trench mortars, and snipers.

Although early 1916 saw no major offensives in this sector, casualties were frequent due to continual shelling and trench raids. Wounded men were evacuated to casualty clearing stations and base hospitals in nearby towns, with Béthune serving as an important medical centre behind the lines.

Death and Burial

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, Private Frederick Charles Vivian died of wounds on 14^th March 1916. 

Despite medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries and was laid to rest at Béthune Town Cemetery, France, where many soldiers who died from wounds during the early years of the war are buried.

Family Note

Frederick Charles Vivian was the nephew of Alfred Charles Vivian.