Lofts, W
WILFRED LOFTS
Remembered with honour Aire Communal Cemetery: Plot IV, Row A, Grave 30.
He attested 19 July 1916 in Whitehall, London, for Short Service (Duration of the War): a bank clerk aged 18, 5’8¼” tall, of Amersham, Bucks; Private G/58987 5th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He served at Home 19 July 1916 to 2 February 1918, during which time he was appointed Lance-Corporal 17 July 1917. He was discharged having been granted a temporary commission as Second Lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps 2 February 1918, gazetted 8 February 1918. He was injured 16 May 1918, and died of accidental injuries received in a crash, brought in dead to 39 Stationary Hospital; he was the pilot of the plane. He appears to have no medals.
There is an article about Wilfred in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 24 August 1918.
Son of Alfred and Isabel(la) Eliza (nee HICKS) LOFTS of Amersham.
His parents married 1887 in the Liskeard, Cornwall, district. Alfred died 4 March 1950 aged 88; Isabella died 19 January 1952 aged 86; both in Amersham.
Wilfred was born 29 June 1898 in Rickmansworth, Herts, and attended Watford Grammar School from September 1905 to December 1914. He was a clerk at Lloyd’s Bank in Chesham, Bucks, from 17 December 1914 to 19 July 1916.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Rickmansworth, with his parents and six siblings. on the 1911 Census, at school aged 12, he still lived in Rickmansworth, with his parents and four siblings.
Rank
Second LieutenantUnit
42nd or 48th SquadronRegiment
Place buried
Date of death
09/08/1918Age at death
20Place of death
Memorial(s)
Notes
His brother Bernard died 16 May 1915 and also features on this Roll of Honour- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)