Misfiled as MARCHANT in the WW1 Service Records (WO 363):

Frederick MERCHANT, born Orford Barracks, Warrington, 23 January 1893.
Parents: Jesse James & Mary Catherine
Address: 6 Percy Street, Warrington
Joined the South Lancs Regiment, 3 March 1913.
Regimental No.: 1708
Captured at La Palla(?) 24 October 1914.
POW at Hameln.
Released November 1918.
Discharged 1919.

Anc****y, MAR, pages 155797-155811