Selected Biography

Mackender, Frederick ‘William’ – Born: West Kensington, London on 3.3.1889, baptised in Long Melford.[1]  Parent: Elizabeth Mackender (Domestic Servant), official foster parents James and Sarah Younger of Long Melford.  Home: Boarding with James and Sarah Younger at The Green, Long Melford (1901), Military Barracks in India (1911).  Service Record: William enlisted in 1905 as Pte.9588 with The Worcestershire Regiment, serving with 4^th Battalion in India in 1911.  He was posted to France from 12.9.1914 with 2^nd Battalion, Worcesters as part of 5^th Brigade, 2^nd Division taking up reserve positions near Ypres in Belgium. Just after midday on 31.10.1914 German forces launched large-scale attack a key feature of defensive line at the Chateau of Gheluvelt.  Mackender’s battalion of 500 men was hurriedly thrown into a counterattack, to re-take Gheluvelt at the point of the bayonet two hours later.  This action was pivotal in frustrating the enemy’s attempt to outflank the Allied positions, take the channel ports and open the road to Paris.[2]  Died: Private Mackender was killed in action during this desperate charge and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial [panel 34], Ypres, Belgium and on Long Melford War Memorial.[3] 

Notes – [1] Baptism Register 7.4.1889 for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] For more detail about this action see Gheluvelt 1914 – Worcestershire Regiment and the excellent article by Dr Spencer Jones of the University of Wolverhampton at The Recapture of Gheluvelt, 31 October 1914 | Voices of War and Peace, on the First Battle of Ypres and the particular importance of the recapture of Gheluvelt to the end of German ambitions in ending the War by Christmas.  See also his Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [3] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 and Commonwealth War Grave Commission.