The Hatter Brothers
Below are the stories of two Corsham brothers; the eldest and youngest of the Hatter family.
Their middle brother, Alfred, also served in the war and we are currently trying to find out more about him.
Their middle brother, Alfred, also served in the war and we are currently trying to find out more about him.
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Frank (Francis) Hatter
Frank was born in 1881 in Corsham, the eldest child of William and Lucy Hatter who at the time of his birth were living in No 2 Hastings Rd. William was recorded as being a Brewers Labourer. By 1891 the family were living in Priory Road, William was shown as being a Labourer and there were further children – Catherine, Flora, Alfred and Edwin. In 1901, still living on Priory Road, father William was working as a Stone Quarryman and Frank, now 19, was employed as a Footman, brothers Edwin and Alfred were still at school. In 1907 Frank's mother died and by 1911 Frank had left Corsham and in November 1914, aged 33, when he enlisted in the Army he was working as an Indoor Servant in London. His service record shows that he was initially a member of the Royal Garrison Artillery based in the UK , he was certainly in Belfast in January 1915 when he was officially admonished for being ‘drunk in town at about 10pm’. He was transferred to the Surrey Regiment in June 1915 and was posted to the war front in October 1915. He was reported missing and presumed dead on 13th August 1916. The letter sent to his father bearing the news can be seen below. 
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Edward (Edwin) Hatter
Edwin was born in 1889 in Corsham, the youngest child of William and Lucy Hatter who at the time of his birth were living in Priory Rd. William was recorded as being a Labourer. Edwin had elder sisters Catherine and Flora and elder brothers Frank and Alfred. In 1901, still living on Priory Road, father William was working as a Stone Quarryman and Edwin and Alfred were still at school. His mother Lucy died in 1907 and by 1911 Edwin was working as a domestic under gardener and living with his father and his sister Catherine who were now on Priory Street. William was a road labourer for the Rural District Council. The Corsham War Book records that he served initially with the Wiltshire Regiment and then at some point to the 2nd Leinster Regiment. He was killed in action in Belgium on 16th June 1917. His brothers Frank and Alfred also served during the War, Frank was also killed in active service in August 1916. |
