Second Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps.
Born: August 7th 1898
Died: September 29th 1918
Age at Death: 20
Killed in action, France, September 29th 1918
Son of Edwin Hedgcock of Reading.
Brother to Sidney Douglas Hedgcock (Sc. 1909-1911)(BC reg.3517). Uncle to Eric Gordon Hedgcock (Du. 1939-1942) BC reg.7209 - son of Sidney.
A DONATION TO THE MEMORIAL STATUE HAS BEEN MADE IN HONOUR OF THIS SOLIDER BY AN ABRAHAM HOUSE LEAVER 2016.
Frederic Leslie Hedgcock
Frederic Hedgcock (known as ‘Leslie’) was born on August 7 1898. He was one of three sons of Edwin and Clarinda Hedgcock of St. Margaret’s, 4 Shinfield Road, Reading, where they lived with a number of live-in servants. The Hedgcocks ran a successful drapery and textiles business in Reading known as ‘Hedgcocks’, which employed several people. The records of his life at school are scarce but it is clear that he was a member of the OTC for four years and finished as a lance-corporal. The commanding officer of the Brighton College OTC recorded that he was ‘always keen on his work in the OTC’ and was expected ‘to make a useful and painstaking officer’.
On leaving the school in Spring 1917 Hedgcock initially joined the Berkshire Regiment but was then attached to the Machine Gun Corps in which he received a commission in October 1917. It was while serving with the 57th battalion, Machine Gun Corps that he was killed in action on 30 September 1918 during the final victorious campaign of the war. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Anneux, France.
Source: LEST WE FORGET PROJECT, Brighton College 2014/15