Frederick Noel Tassell

Key Information

Name: Frederick Noel Tassell

DoB: December 25 1897

Regt: Private 47636, 20th R. Fus., Public Schools.

DoD: Reported missing at Monchy, April 10, 1917.

Academic Career:  CGS 1912-13

Biographical Information:

  • Family Background:

    Noel was the second of four children born to Frederick William and Gertrude (née Harrison) Tassell. He had an older sister Doris and a younger brother Archibald Ronald, and a younger sister Winifred Ina. His father was a photographer, born at Brighton. His mother was from Mansfield and had been a photographer’s assistant, according to the 1891 Census, so this perhaps explains how they met. The elder two children were also born at Mansfield but the younger two were born in Carlisle. In 1901 the family was living on Devonshire Street, and in 1911, at 16 Warwick Square. Brother Archibald also served in the Great War, having left school in 1915. He was a Private, Edinburgh Univ. O.T.O. After the war he became a photographer.

  • Academic Record:

     Frederick was a member of the school cricket team in 1913. 

  • War Service:

    The Cumberland News reported that Private Tassell was wounded by shrapnel in the back and “isnow progressing favourably in hospital at Birmingham.” This was in September 1916.In the Roll of Honour from 6 January 1917 Noel’s photograph is displayed amongst the Fallen. This is odd as he was Reported missing at Monchy, April 10, 1917.

    There was an Allied Offensive at Arras between April 9 and May 4 1917 and he is commemorated at Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.

  • Battalion:

    Private, 20th R. Fus., Public Schools. Records on Ancestry record he was in the Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment, 10th Battalion, Number 47636 and give his death as April 11 1917 aged 19.

  • Other:

    Noel was an Engineering apprentice, L. & N.W, Rly. Works, at Crewe. His employment record reveals he had been employed four years five months (not sure how this was possible if he only left school in 1913) and was “killed in action”. His Conduct is recorded as “Good”.  

  • Sources:

    a)            Carlisle School Memorial Register 1264-1924

    b)            Census: 1911 RG!4/36325; 1901 RG13/4864; 1891 RG12/2655

    c)            Robin Aldrich, relative.

    d)           UK Railway Employment Records Rail410/1950 via Ancestry

    e)           The Cumberland News 9 September 1916 and 6 January 1917

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