Royal Flying Corps
Frederick King Laverton was born on 30 July 1898 at Dawlish, Devon. He was educated at Brymelyn School, Weston-super-Mare and for a short time at Cheltenham College. On 10 November 1915 he was commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment and saw action with the 1st Battalion in the Somme battles of 1916.
In September of that year he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps and commenced training as a pilot. He was awarded his Royal Aero Club Aviation Certificate shortly after and was posted to a squadron in Scotland. He spent about a year at various RFC establishments becoming qualified
in aerial photography, wireless and aerial gunnery. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 March 1917
His final posting was to No 3 School of Aerial Gunnery near New Romney, Kenton 23 November 1917. Lieutenant Laverton met his death in an accident at New Romney on 18 December 1917, age 19. Whilst attempting take off in a Sopwith 1½ Strutter his aircraft developed engine trouble before it left the ground and there was an unavoidable collision with another aircraft, causing him severe injuries and he died in an ambulance, whilst on his way to Shorncliffe Military Hospital. His observer/gunner was uninjured.
The Laverton family were now living at The Chestnuts, Longlevens, Gloucester and this is no doubt the reason for his interment at Barnwood (St Lawrence) Churchyard, where a standard CWGC headstone marks his grave. He is commemorated on the Roll of Honour in the Parish Church of Clevedon St John, near to a former residence.