Lifestory

Lifestory

1919

Fred Turton was born in about 1880, the eldest son of weaver John Turton and his wife Hannah who also had four other children Jane born 1875, Sam born 1882, John born 1884 and Ellen born 1886. In the 1911 census, Fred, a weaver, with his widowed mother and elder sister Jane, are living as boarders with the husband and family of his younger sister Ellen in Gully, Holmfirth: Before enlisting, Fred worked for Messrs Taylor & Littlewood of Newsome. Fred enlisted on 27 March 1916 and went to France where he served with a Labour Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He survived the war and returned home at the start of March 1919 to visit his mother who was ill. The local paper reported “The journey was a trying experience and the soldier reached home in a weak state. Afflicted by influenza and pneumonia, Pte Turton was removed to the Holmfirth Auxiliary Hospital for treatment.” He died on 10 March 1919 aged 39 years and was interred in the burial ground of Lane Chapel. The Huddersfield Daily Examiner dated 12 March 1919 reported that Fred Turton was the last patient of the Holmfirth Auxiliary Hospital which was closed following his death along with other local Auxiliary hospitals.

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  • Profile picture for Fred Turton

    Born 1880

    Died 1919

    British Army 28671 Private West Yorkshire Regiment

    British Army 376845 Private Labour Corps

    British Army 28671 Private West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)