The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private F Akast

Private Frederick AKAST, L/10268, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, 22nd July 1916.

Born Deptford, Kent enlisted 16th January 1914, age 22, Woolwich, Kent. Height 5ft 5 inches, weight 123lbs. Formerly bricklayers labourer.

Son of Walter Edward & Elizabeth Akast, 76 Bronze Street, Deptford. Five brothers, three sisters.

Enlisted 16th January 1914; posted to 1st Battalion 26th February 1914; Dublin, 2nd March 1914, absent from Tattoo, 3 days confined to Barracks; Dublin 18th April to 4th May 1914, admitted to Hospital unconscious, having come out of hospital 3 days before following an operation, probably an attack of syncope; Dublin, 25th May 1914, being in possession of equipment the property of Pte Cole, 7 days confined to Barracks; Dublin, 2nd June 1914, absent from Tattoo, 5 days confined to Barracks; Dublin, 16th June 1914, absent from Tattoo, 8 days confined to Barracks; Dublin, 13th July 1914, absent from Tattoo, 3 days confined to Barracks; Dublin, 16th July 1914, not drawing breakfast when ordered to do so, 10 days confined to barracks; 26th July 1914, Dublin, absent from Tattoo, 7 days confined to Barracks; Dublin, 3rd August 1914, urinating his bedding, and unshaved on parade, 10 days confined to Barracks; posted to 3rd Battalion 19th August 1914; 21st August 1914, Lodge Hill, absent until 23rd when apprehended on 23rd August 1914 at Maidstone, 14 days confined to Barracks; Lodge Hill, 6th September 1914, absent, deprived 8 days pay; awaiting trial 15th September to 29th September 1914; Tried by Court Martial 30th September 1914, for when on Active Service, losing by neglect his arms, equipment, and clothing, sentenced to 28 days detention and stoppages; posted 1st Battalion, British Expeditionary Force, 7th December 1914; joined "A" Company 12th December 1914; 2nd June 1915, 7 days Field Punishment No.2; 20th October 1915, joined "B" Company; deserted 21st December 1915; 20th January 1916 in civil custody; rejoined 1st Battalion in Field 8th February 1916; 26th February 1916 awaiting trial by Field General Court Martial; 27th February 1916 sentenced to 10 years penal servitude; 9th March 1916, sentence commuted to 2 years hard labour & suspended; 22nd July 1916 missing.

Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 11C, Somme, France

NOTE: 1914-1915 Star forfeited for desertion.

This page was last updated on 03-Sep-2016.