Fred Crabtree was killed in action on this day in 1917

Fred Crabtree was born in Burnley. Lancashire in 1888, the son of Richard Crabtree and mother Margaret. He had an older brother and sister - John and Susannah.

Fred was employed as a Loom Over-Looker at the Rake Head Shed, Burnley before the war.

He married Beatrice Ellen 31st October 1911 and they had a son Harry Whefat on 28/10/13.

Originally serving as 267421 in the Army Service Corps from 11th December 1915 and on the reserve and still at home until 5 November 1916, he was transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment (10th Bn) on 9th March 1917, with whom he arrived in France later that month.

10th March 1917, Fred was allocated to the 10th York and Lancs but was wounded in the face on 26th April 1917 and was destined to spend the next months in hospital. He rejoined his battalion on 26th June 1917 but was killed in action just 19 days later on 15th July.

Fred is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

32157 Pte Fred Crabtree, 10th Bn York and Lancaster Regt.