Lives of the First World War

22nd September 1898 - 1st September 1918

Fred Caton was born on 22nd September 1898 in Kings Norton, Birmingham and he was badly wounded during a raid and died on 1st September 1918 in a French Hospital. Fred is buried in Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney, France. His parents are Charles Henry Caton and Gertrude Alice Stephenson. 31:03:1901 Census - living in Keighley, Yorkshire Charles H 24 Gertrude A 23 Frederick 2 Gertrude A 8/12 02:02:1911 Census - living at 468 Skipton Road, Keighley Charles Henry 34 Gertrude Alice Frederick 12 Gertrude Amy 10 Charles Henry 8 Ernest Edward 6 Alice Ethel 4 00:03:1918 Fred studied at Leeds University during the war and worked as an apprentice engineer at Greenwood and Batleys, Leeds. He was in a reserved occupation but volunteered and applied to join the Royal Flying Corps. 27:04:1918 Service date - signed Record of Service Paper in Hampstead NW3 His address is recorded as Westbourne, Moorfield Road, Armley, Leeds 13:05:1918 Certificate of Approving Officer Height: 5 feet 7 1/2 inches Hair: dark Eyes: grey Complexion: fresh 14:08:1918 Joined 216 Squadron 00:08:1918 Moved to 215 Squadron 29:08:1918 Fred's final letter home - "I am quite comfortable here but I would rather have stayed with the 216th as it is about the best squadron in France. Still this is a good squadron so I shall have to be satisfied and not grumble. There is a lot of responsibility but I have plenty of confidence and I shall manage alright". 31:08:1918 Fred was badly wounded on a raid - he flew as a passenger in HP 0/400 C9668 to Boulay to attack enemy lines and his plane crash landed near his base. He was shot in a lung. The pilot was Maxwell Cline Purvis - William Edgar Crombie the observer - Wade as gunlayer 01:09:1918 Fred died of his injuries in a French hospital He is Laid to Rest in Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney His grave reference is - I B 12 The inscription on his headstone is "He that believe in me tho' he were dead yet shall he live" R I P Lieutenant Armitage who was a friend of Fred's sent a letter to his parents, emphasising the high regard in which he was held by the Squadron, despite only having been with them for a short time. "Fred I found a good chap. And although he only joined our squadron a few days previous, he made himself popular with the majority of we fellows in the mess. Although Fred was seriously wounded he stuck to his gun and kept up fire until he reached our side of the line where the machine crashed through having most of the engine shot away. We admire his pluck , most of us are flying officers and can appreciate his coolness and courage under the circumstances. I must say I am sorry he met his death, although I must admit he did it like a soldier, officer and gentleman. PS - I happen to be a Yorkshireman myself and if I ever get through this lot all right I will try to get to Leeds as I can tell you more than I dare put in a letter owing to the censor". .

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