A wine importer goes to war

[dante]

Ferdinand Matthias Feuerheerd (sometimes spelt Fenerheerd)

This has been one of the most difficult to research even though I have been in touch with the family, the Feuerheerd family although originally from Germany were at the time of the great war
Anglo-Portuguese (A story from the family was at some stage in the trenches he met a first cousin who was on the German side).

He was born about 1864 in Oporto, Portugal and naturalised British citizen since 1889 (and
the son of naturalised parents) he was living in Winchester Hampshire when war broke out, he was noted as a retired wine shipper.

Ferdinand worked as did all the family for the firm Feuerheerd Bros Port wine exporters from Oporto.

he married Miss Drake,daughter of Major Drake, of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Feuerheerd’s was founded in 1815 by the German trader Dietrich Matthias Feuerheerd who established his business in Oporto. In 1926 the company was sold to the Barros family and in 2007 to Quinta D. Matilde – Vinhos, Lda which is owned by some members of the Barros family. Feuerheerd’s became famous over the years for the quality of its wines, especially a few of its Vintage Port.

Nowadays, the brand acquired by Barão de Vilar - Vinhos, SA, giving birth to a new partnership between the Van Zellers and the Barros family, determined to revive the long tradition of quality of Feuerheerd’s wines.

The Family have confirmed that he served with the Portuguese military intelligence in France; however there is no confirmation of this as his army records are lost.

1915 appointed “Special Appointment” as a censor attached to Army Headquarters (Graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Lieutenant, 2nd Class.) F. Fenerheerd, and to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 3rd May 1915.

He graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Lt., 1^st class Temp 2nd Lt. F. Fenerheerd, vice Hon. Lt.-Col. J. M. Richardson (Agricultural officer) , 5^th April 1916.

(Hon. Lt.-Col Jasper Myers Richardson, RGA TF, Educated at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, leaving in 1869, Hon. Lt. Col Retired Militia (Welch, Caernarvonshire, RGA TF) who at the time of his death he was a General Staff Officer (Agriculture) Wounded on 21 March 1918 and died of wounds on 30 March 1918. 5th Apr 1916 age 68).

He relinquished his rank in 1921 and died in Guernsey 7 September 1921

If you had to take anyone to war taking a wine importer would seem a good idea.........

Edited January 26, 2013 by dante

[IrishGunner]

Appointed as Staff Lieutenant, 3rd Class, on 13 June 1917 At the time of his death he was a General Staff Officer (Agriculture) Wounded on 21 March 1918 and died of wounds on 30 March 1918. 5th Apr 1916 age 68.

He relinquished his rank in 1921 and died in Guernsey 7 September 1921

If you had to take anyone to war taking a wine importer would seem a good idea.........

A nice trio and background. I agree - wonder if he had Port sent in his Christmas packets.

Not to nit pick; however, don't these two bits quoted above seem contradictory: DOW March '18 and died Guernsey Sept 21?

[dante]

A nice trio and background. I agree - wonder if he had Port sent in his Christmas packets.

Not to nit pick; however, don't these two bits quoted above seem contradictory: DOW March '18 and died Guernsey Sept 21?

Ammended.......always proof read

Edited January 26, 2013 by dante

[IrishGunner]

Ammended.......always proof read

No worries! That's what we're here for....

[Chris Boonzaier]

A relative is elsewhere on the forum.....

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/57333-feuerheerd-matthias/

[dante]

I wonder if that was the cousin mentioned by the family.....?