The Reverend J. B. Frith
The Rev J Brien Frith came to Shrawley in 1911 and left in March/April 1919. During this time he and his wife had 2 sons (twins) and a daughter.
In March 1916 he went as a Chaplin to the forces and arrived in France in April and a week or two later, contracted Measles and was sent on a home visit to Shrawley in July. After a brief recuperation he returned to France where he remained until March 1918 when he was released by the Chaplin General and returned to Shrawley in April 1918.
When the family left in 1919, he moved to Horseheath, Cambridgeshire having been offered the post by the Governors of his old school. (The position in Shrawley was filled by Reverend H. T. Boultbee who had stood in whilst Rev. Frith was away in France.)
They did not stay there long and 1920 moved to St Mary’s Church, Swynnerton, Staffordshire taking over as Rector from his father. He held the position of Rector until 1942 and on retirement moved to Hayling Island.
His twin sons, both of whom were killed in World War 2 – Major John Brereton Frith M.C., Royal Artillery died of wounds in Burma on 10th April 1945 and is buried in the British Military Cemetery at Taukkyan,Mandalay, Grave/Ref 27.B.14.
His brother Capt. Robert Brereton Frith M.C., of The Worcestershire Regt, killed in action on 17th November 1941 and buried in The British Military Cemetery at Keren, Eritrea, West Africa, Grave/Ref 4.A.3.
The death of his sons took its toll on him mentally and he was nursed by his wife for many years before he passed away. He is buried in the family grave at Swynnerton.
There is a stained glass window in Swynnerton Church in memory of the two sons.