Second World War - Lynsted Memorial Project

Frederick Charles RUCK (of Lynsted & Teynham)

b. 1912
d. 26th February 1941. Aged 29

Private, 1522687
10th Battalion
South Staffordshire Regiment
Teynham Churchyard
(buried near the East Boundary)
Killed in a Training Accident

South Staffordshire Regimental badge


Frederick Ruck of Teynham and LynstedFrederick was the eldest of the three sons of Frederick and Rosa Ruck. Frederick was born on 28 December 1911 and had two younger brothers, Sidney Edward and Leslie Gordon. Frederick followed his father into the local fire brigade at just 17.

On 12 December 1931, Frederick married Violet Minnie Fisher in Rodmersham Church and went on to have 3 children, Frederick in 1932, Yvonne in 1936 and Sylvia in 1937.

At the outbreak of war the family was living at 106 (Wanstalls) London Road, Lynsted.

Frederick was the first of Lynsted's war casualties. At the time of his death, Frederick was on exercise at the army ranges at Hythe. On 26 February 1941 Frederick, along with 2 of his colleagues from the 10th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, Leonard Baines and Andrew McVey, were killed in a live ammunition exercise. In records of the war in Hythe, a visitor with a holiday bungalow close to the range, notes the day that the three soldiers were killed by a bomb exploding during a practice exercise. The Army Casualty List confirms his accidental death.

Frederick's full Fire Brigade ceremonial, took place on 3 March 1941 at Teynham Church.

East Kent Gazette of 8th March 1941
On Active Service
Fireman's Impressive Funeral

The funeral of the first Teynham Man serving in H.M. Forces to be killed by enemy action in the present war took place at Teynham Parish Church on Monday {26th February 1941}.
He was Private Frederick Ruck, of Wanstalls, London Road, Lynsted, who was killed in action on Friday in last week, whilst serving with the 10th Staffordshire Regiment. Private Ruck was twenty-nine years of age, and he leaves a wife and three children.
The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ruck, of Station Row, Teynham, Fred Ruck was an old boy of Teynham School. He was closely connected with the Parish Church, where he had been a choirboy, a server, and a Scout.
At the age of seventeen he followed his father by becoming a member of Teynham and Lynsted Fire Brigade, and the action of the Chief Officer in enrolling him a year under age proved fully justified, for he became one of the Brigade's most efficient members. In recognition of his service to the Brigade, Private Ruck was accorded a fireman's funeral.
The body was borne to the church on the Faversham pump, which also carried a large number of floral tributes. Section Officer D. Aylward led the cortege at the slow march, with Chief Officer W.S.Holmes (Faversham Brigade) at the head of the procession of firemen.
The Rev. W.C.B.Purser (Vicar of Teynham) met the cortege at the lych gate and intoned the opening sentences, the coffin being borne into the church by members of the Teynham and Lynsted Brigade,, names, Firemen S.Snashall, H.Dixon, S.Wood, and S.Miles. The service was read by the Rev. T.G.Williams (assistant priest), and the lesson by Leading Fireman W.J.Butt. The committal prayers were said by the vicar.
The family mourners were the widow, the bereaved parents, Messrs. Sidney and Leslie Ruck (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ruck, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ruck, Messrs, Bert, Sidney, Stanley and Reginald Ruck, and Mrs. Pilcher (uncles and aunts), Messrs. Bert and Jack Fisher (brothers-in-law), and Mrs. Ivy Hudson (sister-in-law). Two members of deceased's regiment also attended.
Other members of the Teynham and Lynsted Brigade present were Second Officer F.Sherwood Third Officer A. Snashall, Fireman A. Stanley, and Private Malcolm Friday (a member of the Brigade now serving in H.M.Forces). Other members of the Fire Service included deceased's old Chief Officer, Section Officer A.E.Ferris, with Mrs. Ferris, Second Officer Cory and members of the Sittingbourne and Milton A.F.S., and Station Officer Boorman and a contingent from the Faversham Borough Brigade.
It was noted with appreciation that with the Faversham Brigade were four members of the L.C.C. Fire Service who were spending a week's rest as their guests.
The floral tributes were sent as follows:- "In loving memory of my darling Husband," from his wife Violet. "To our darling Daddy," from Boy, Yvonne, and Sylvia. "In loving memory of our dear Boy" from Mum and Dad. "In loving memory" from Sid and Les (brothers). "With deepest sympathy, from all ranks of the 10th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. "Fondest love and sympathy," from Uncle Charles and Aunty Rose, Ron, and Mavis. "In deepest sympathy to dear Uncle Fred," from Pat and Ivy. "In affectionate remembrance," from Uncle Albert and Aunty Em and Barbara. "In sincere sympathy," from Auntie Lucy and family. "In loving memory," from Uncles Bert, Sid, Stan, Reg, and Aunties Ada, Flo, Bertha and Rose, Herbie and Jane. "With deepest sympathy," from Uncle Alf and Aunt Sis and family. "In memory of Fred," from Bert, Floss, and kiddies. "In ever-loving memory of our dear Brother-in-law," from Ivy and Vern ("Rest always in peace") "In deepest sympathy," from Dorothy and Laurie. "He was my pal," Malc and Belle. "To Fred, in loving memory," from Minn and Jack ("Sleep on, dear boy, your work is done"). "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. Capes (friend), "With deepest sympathy," from his old Workmates, Lynsted. "With deepest sympathy," from his old Skip and Mrs Ferris. "Deepest sympathy," Mr and Mrs. F.Tinley. "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Smith. "In memory of Fred, with deepest sympathy," Mr. and Mrs. Laves, 76, London Road. "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. P.French and family. "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Friend and Mr. and Mrs. Kite ("God's greatest gift – remembrance"). "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Gage. "With deepest sympathy," Officers and Men of the Teynham and Lynsted Fire Brigade. "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Ford, Joan, and Georgie ("Gone, but not forgotten"). "In deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Hyland. From Mr. and Mrs. Friday and family ("Lest we forget"). "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. and Mrs. Kemsley, Station Row. "With deepest sympathy," Mrs. Godden. "In deepest sympathy," from the Chief Officer, Officers, and Members of the Regular and Auxiliary Services of the Sittingbourne and Milton Fire Brigades.

Frederick's wife, Violet, was left widowed with three children. The First World War had claimed her father when she was just 2 years old, when HMS Hogue was torpedoed by an enemy submarine on 24 September 1914. Violet remarried in 1943 to Victor Berry. She died in 1998 in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Frederick is buried in Teynham churchyard near the east boundary. In addition to the Lynsted memorial, Frederick is also remembered on the Teynham War Memorial and in the Roll of Honour in "The War Years 1939 - 1945 in Faversham and District."

World War 2 Pages

IWM War and COnflict Subject Specialist Network Logo