Name
Fred Barton
4 Feb 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
101905
Royal Garrison Artillery
186th Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VOORMEZEELE ENCLOSURES NO.1 AND NO.2
I. J. 49.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
TRANQUIL YOU LIE YOUR KNIGHTLY VIRTUE PROVED
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Fred was born on 4 Feb 1889 (baptised 9 Sep 1894) in Harpenden to Emily Barton.
On the 1891 Census he was living with his mother Emily and her family at Harpenden Common. On the 1901 Census Fred was still at with his mother’s Family at Cravells Road, Harpenden. By the 1911 Census Fred was a Bootmaker and still at Cravells Road with his grandmother.
He married Margaret A Shipp on 22 May 1915 and they had a son Edward Fred on 5 May 1916.
Wartime Service
Fred attested on 8 Dec 1915 and was mobilised on 5 Jul 1916 as Gunner 101905 Royal Garrison Artillery.
He went to France from Folkestone on 24 Oct 1916, landing at Boulogne on 25 Oct 1916 to Join 168 Siege Battery. Fred was killed in action on 26 Sep 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, possibly as the result of counter battery fire.
Additional Information
His widow, Mrs. M.A. Barton, 142, Cravello Rd., Harpenden, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "TRANQUIL YOU LIE YOUR KNIGHTLY VIRTUE PROVED". Effects War Gratuity of £4 10s, arrears of £8 18s 7d and pension of 18s 9d/week to his widow
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
