An Old India Hand' & Russian Expeditionary Force veterans Delhi Durbar & 1914 Star medal group of 4: Company Sergeant Major Frederick Hatt, Royal Fusiliers att'd Russian Expeditionary Force, late 22nd (Service) Bn (Kensington) 4th & 2nd Royal Fusiliers

- 1914 Star. With tailors slider clasp (L-11376 Pte. F. Hatt. 4/R. Fus.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (L-11376 W.O. Cl. II. F. Hatt. R. Fus.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (L-11376 W.O. Cl. II. F. Hatt. R. Fus.)
- Delhi Durbar Medal. Silver issue

Note: The dated clasp is a contemporary slider type, and while the recipient is confirmed landed in France on 7 October 1914, neither the medal roll or respective medal index card show a claim or issuance of the clasp & roses, albeit the recipient was beyond any doubt entitled basis being a battlefield casualty prior to 22 November 1914....

Medals verification: All medals verified per the respective campaign & commemorative medal rolls cited:

- 1914 Star (Ref WO 329/2428) First entered theatre of war 'France' 7 October 1914
- British War Medal. Silver issue (Ref WO 329/788)
- Interallied Victory Medal (Ref WO 329/788)
- Delhi Durbar Medal 1911. Silver issue (Ref WO 100/400)

Wounded-in-Action: Private Frederick Hatt, is confirmed having been 'Wounded-in-Action' during the 1914 campaign in Flanders, during the period of 'entitlement' to the dated 1914 Star clasp. His name is included in a long list of casualties repatriated to the United Kingdom and convalescing at Southern General Hospital, Plymouth, under a casualty list dated 24th October 1914, as published in The Scotsman newspaper issue of 27 November 1914

Frederick Charles Hatt, third son of George William Hatt (a Plumber) & Amelia Hatt (nee Page) was a native of, Islington, London, Middlesex, England, where he was born on, 2 July 1888 (and baptized on, 29 July 1888). By the time of the 1891 National Census for England & Wales, Frederick and his family, comprising both parents and 3 x sibling brothers, viz; George Thomas (B. 1894), William Herbert (B. 1895 & Killed-in-Action serving with 14th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, France, 5 June 1916) & Percy Henry (B. 1890 & served with Army Veterinary Corps during the Great War), were were residing at, Bedford Road, Finchley, Barnet, Middlesex. By the time of the 1901 Census, Frederick and the Hatt family (erroneously shown as 'Watt' (sic)) were then residing at, 24, Myrtle Street, Islington, London, by which time Frederick's eldest brother had left home, and a baby sister, Milly Hatt (B. 1900) had joined the family. Frederick enlisted in the British Army in January 1905, and was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Royal Fusiliers, on a 'Short Service Contract' of seven years with 'The Colors' & five years with the Army Reserve. After completion of his basic training, he joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, and was posted to British India, where he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal in 1911

As a Reservist he was recalled to 'The Colours' in August 1914, and subsequently posted to 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Frederick first entered theatre of war 'France' when he embarked with a reinforcement draft for France on, 7 October 1914. He was evidently rushed to the front-line very shortly after landing in France, where he soon became a battle casualty, per the record of his convalescing at a Military Hospital in Plymouth England in a list of casualties dated 24 October 1914. Subsequently, returned to the 'Western Front', Frederick served with the 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, and was promoted to Warrant Officer rank, holding the appointment of Company Sergeant Major. In 1919, he served in North Russia with one of the two Royal Fusilier battalions attached to the Russian Expeditionary Force, viz either the 45th or 46th Battalion

By the time of the compilation of the National Register of England & Wales in 1939, Frederick was recorded therein employed as a 'Bank Messenger', and residing at 3 Stockwell Avenue, Brixton, Lambeth, London, England, where he together with his wife Evelyn Johanna Hatt (b. 21 January 1893). Sadly Evelyn died in 1940, and Frederick is recorded as having died at Bedford, in 1958

The medals all mounted in the swing-style and as-worn by the recipient. The medals fitted with their original silk ribands and suspended from a medal mounting bar that retains its long hinged pin & clasp fittings

A most interesting geographic scope of service, including India, France and ending with active service in Russia, in which latter place few 'Durbar Medallists' would have been alive to make the journey!

Condition: GVF

Code: 21693