Fire fighter who died following a fire in the Royal Palace Hotel, Kensington.
From : "Leading Firefighter Frederick Charles Willoughby, of Twickenham, was overcome by fumes whilst fighting a four-hour fire in the basement of the Royal Palace Hotel in Kensington, London, on February 22nd 1956. He died in an ambulance on the way to hospital."
Note the date given on the Highgate plaque is 22 May 1956, which we think must be an error.
We are not totally convinced this is a photo of Willoughby. It's from but has a photo of a man who looks quite different.
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, states that Frederick Charles Willoughby was born on 5 August 1907 at 9 Rose Court, Sheaf Street, Daventry, Northamptonshire, the second of the nine children of William Henry Willoughby (1887-1965) and Florence Maud Willoughby née Furniss (1887-1960). His birth was registered on 5 September 1907 in the Daventry Registration District and his father was described as a journeyman painter.
His eight siblings were: William Tom Willoughby (1906-1979); Florence Mary Naomi Willoughby (1908-1909); Lawrence Edward Willoughby (1910-1931); Dorothy Maud Willoughby (1912-1931); Elsie May Willoughby (1914-1933); Edith Rose Willoughby (1916-1945); Florence Elizabeth Maud Willoughby (1918-1995) and Violet Ellen Willoughby (1923-1973).
He was shown as aged 3 years on the census return form that was completed by his father on 2 April 1911. He was living at the four roomed property, 9 Rose Court, Sheaf Street, Daventry, with his parents and his two surviving siblings: William Tom Willoughby and Lawrence Edward Willoughby. His father listed himself as a house painter and paperhanger and confirmed that his wife had given birth to four children but that only three were still alive.
He was described as aged 13 years, 10 months and in whole time education on the census return form that was completed by his father on 19 June 1921. He was residing in three rooms within 28 Dugdale Road, Coventry, Warwickshire, with his parents and five of his siblings: William Tom Willoughby - a metal driller employed by Rudge Whitworth Cycle Company Ltd at Crow Lane, Coventry; Lawrence Edward Willoughby - in whole time education; Dorothy Maud Willoughby - in whole time education; Elsie May Willoughby - also in whole time education and Florence Elizabeth Maud Willoughby. His father stated that he was an out of work goods porter who had previously been employed by the London and North Western Railway in Coventry.
On 25 August 1924, aged 17 years and giving his occupation as a machinist, he enlisted as a Private in the Royal Marines, service number 22364.
He married Edna Frances Barrow (1899-1980) on 9 July 1927 in St James's Roman Catholic Church, Popes Grove, Twickenham, Middlesex (now Greater London), where on his marriage certificate he is shown as aged 19 years, a bachelor and a Royal Marine, service number 22364, who was living at the Royal Marine Barracks, Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon, the son of William Henry Willoughby, a railway porter, whilst his wife was described as aged 28 years and a spinster, who was residing at 19 Marsh Farm Road, Twickenham, the daughter of Edwin Frederick Barrow, a messenger at the Ministry of Pensions.
On 4 August 1935 he was discharged from the Royal Marines and was transferred into the Royal Fleet Reserve.
He was shown as Fireman in the London Fire Brigade on the England and Wales Register that was compiled on 29 September 1939. This register confirms his date of birth and that he was also a Corporal in the Royal Fleet Reserve. He was residing at 21 Marsh Farm Road, Twickenham, with his wife.
On 25 November 1939 he was recalled back into the Royal Marines and on 11 September 1940 he was awarded his Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
The shows him as a Temporary Sergeant in his listing for his award of the Distinguished Service Medal. The hand written recommendation from Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth, dated 3 May 1940 read: "Corporal Willoughby showed great power of command and coolness under fire, and held his gun crew together during intense bombing and other difficult circumstances. His cheerfulness and willingness was an outstanding feature at all times, he also organised a volunteer gun crew during a severe bombing raid. During the last moments of evacuation he volunteered to remove ammunition from a dangerous area and organised a stretcher party to remove a wounded man to a first aid station". His invitation card for the presentation of this medal on 14 November 1940 at Buckingham Palace, London, was addressed to him as Colour Serjeant-Major F. C. Willoughby, D.S.M.
He was released from the Royal Marines on 16 October 1945 and was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Burma Star, the Defence Medal and the 1939-1945 War Medal.
On 22 February 1956, aged 48 years and as a leading fireman he attended a fire at the Royal Palace Hotel, Kensington, London, but was overcome by smoke. He died in an ambulance on the way to St Mary Abbots Hospital, Kensington. At the inquest to his death held on 28 February 1956, the Coroner for the London Western District, H.N. Stafford, ruled it was misadventure caused by asphyxia due to carbon monoxide poisoning. His death was registered on 29 February 1956 in the Kensington Registration District, London.
Probate records confirm that his address remained as 21 Marsh Farm Road, Twickenham and that when administration of his estate was granted to his widow on 19 March 1956, his effects totalled £237-7s-3d.
On 16 December 2009 his medals were sold by auction in Knightsbridge, London, for £2,702 including the auctioneer's premium.
He is shown as "Lfm Frederick C. Willoughby" on the memorial plaque in Highgate Cemetery, Swain's Lane, London, N6 and as "Frederick Willoughby" on the Red Plaque attached to Kensington Fire Station at 13 Old Court Place, London, W8. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial at Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the and on the .
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