A biography of the military career of Private Fred Costin who served in the 31786 Bedfordshire Regiment
Skip navigation
  1. Home
  2. Local Information
  3. History
  4. Serving Soldiers' Biographies
  5. Private Fred Costin

Private Fred Costin

Serving Soldiers' Biographies

Private Fred Costin 31786 Bedfordshire Regiment

Fred Costin was born in Summerleys Eaton Bray in 1894.

He was the second son of John Costin who was a farm labourer and Emma nee Janes.

On leaving school Fred became a Nurseryman in the floral part at Wallaces in Eaton Bray and in late 1916 he married local girl Mary Rollings older sister of his best mate Fred Rollings and moved in to Sparrow Hall cottages in Edlesborough.

Duty called and he joined the 6th Battelion Bedfordshire Regiment and fought at the Somme and other engagements.

At the Battle of Arras on 28th April 1917 he was killed in action age 23. He had been married for less than 6 months.

Private Fred Costin
Photo is Fred Costin (right) with mate and brother in law Fred Rollings

Credits

Thanks to Gillian Hunter niece of Fred Costin.

Sources

  • CWGC
  • Roll of Honour
  • Ancestry
  • Genes Reunited
  • Free BMD