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| Regiment/Service: |
Old Public School Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (British Army)
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| Date Of Birth: |
20/07/1893
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| Died: |
18/08/1916 (Died of Wounds) |
| Age: |
23 |
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| Frederick William Ekin was the eldest son of John and Annie Ekin. Frederick was born on 20th July 1893 in the Shankill area of Belfast. Frederick lived in Belfast. John Ekin was a grocery agent. Frederick was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and attended Queens University for one year, 1914-1915, and was a Member of Training Corps. On enlistment he served with the Royal Fusiliers (Old Public Schools Battalion) and was seriously wounded, having received a gunshot to his arm at the Battle of the Somme on 20th July 1916. He died in Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangor, Scotland and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery. As far as can be ascertained, Fredrick Ekin never lived in Coagh. |
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| Frederick William Ekin was the eldest son of John and Annie Ekin. John Ekin married Annie Harte on 15th August 1892 in Carrickfergus.
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| Frederick was born on 20th July 1893 in the Shankill area of Belfast.
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| He was the grandson of Mr William Ekin of Ballynuey, Coagh.
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| The 1901 census lists Fredrick William as 7 years old, living with the family at house 1 in Ashley Gardens, Duncairn, Belfast. John Ekin was a grocery agent.
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| Family: John Ekin, Annie Ekin, Frederick William Ekin (born 20th July 1893), John Lesley Ekin (born 23rd July 1900), Doris Winifred Ekin (born 5th December 1907).
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| Frederick was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, ‘Inst.’
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| The 1911 census lists Frederick William as age 17 at house 1 in Ashley Gardens, Duncairn, Belfast. He worked as a grocery clerk.
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| Prior to active service he worked with his father at Messrs. Ekin & Prenter of 26 Waring Street, Belfast. Waring Street Postal Telegraph Office was in the same building
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| Frederick William Ekin attended Queens University for one year, 1914-1915, and was a Member of Training Corps.
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| On enlistment he served with the Royal Fusiliers (Old Public Schools Battalion) and was seriously wounded, having received a gunshot to his arm at the Battle of the Somme on 20th July 1916.
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| He was brought back to Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangour, Scotland. His parents went to the hospital and remained with him to the last.
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| Private Frederick William Ekin died as a result of septicaemia on 18th August 1916. He was 23 years old.
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| His remains were brought back to Belfast on Tuesday 22nd August 1916, where he was buried with full military honours at Belfast City Cemetery.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
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| EKIN – August 18, at Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangour, Scotland, from wounds received in action on 20th July, Fredrick William Ekin, Old Public Schoolboys Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr John Ekin, Clarnico, Ashley Park, Belfast, and grandson of Mr William Ekin, Ballynuey, Coagh, aged 23 years. Deeply regretted. ‘He died for his country. What more could he do?’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Private Frederick W Ekin
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| We regret to announce the death of Private Frederick William Ekin (Old Public Schools Battalion), Royal Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr John Ekin, Clarnico, Ashley Park, Belfast, and grandson of Mr William Ekin, Ballynuey, Coagh, which took place at Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangour, Scotland, from wounds received in action in France, on 20th July (his 23rd birthday). The deceased was a young man of great promise, and his early death will cause widespread sympathy. He was in business with his father in the firm of Messrs Ekin & Prenter, Waring Street, Belfast, and joined as a Private the Royal Fusiliers (Old Public Schools Battalion). He had seen some hot fighting before 20th July, when he was wounded by a gunshot in the arm. Septic poisoning setting in, he died on 18th August. He had before him a very promising career, which he cheerfully sacrificed in his country’s cause, and to his grief stricken parents, who went to the hospital and remained with him to the last, the sincere sympathy of their numerous friends will go out now in their sad bereavement. He was buried in the City Cemetery, Belfast on Tuesday will full military honours.
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| Private Frederick William Ekin is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
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| Private Frederick William Ekin is also commemorated by the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, commonly known as Inst.
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| Private Frederick William Ekin, Royal Fusiliers, (City of London Regiment), is commemorated on Queens University War Memorial. Their Book of Remembrance states he was a Member of Training Corps 1914-1915, oddly with the wrong date of death.
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| As far as can be ascertained, Fredrick Ekin never lived in Coagh.
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