Person

Frederick Bartram was born in 1885 in Shildon, Durham. He was the son of Matthew Bartram and Julia Bartram nee Booth. Matthew had previously been married to Mary Bartram so Frederick had two half siblings; John William and Mary Jane. Following Mary’s death, Matthew remarried Julia Booth. Matthew and Julia had two children; Frederick and his younger brother, Matthew. Frederick’s father worked as a coal miner and by the age of 15 Frederick had joined his father working at the colliery.

At the time of the 1891 Census, Frederick is living with his parents and siblings in Merrington, Durham, England. By 1901 the family had moved to Garden Street in Shildon. Frederick married Matilda Bellwood on 13 December 1909 in Bishop Auckland.

Frederick attested into the army on 15 December 1915. At this time Frederick and Matilda had had two children: Irene, born 10 December 1911 and Matthew Henry, born 10 October 1913. Frederick is recorded to be working as an insurance inspector. Frederick was mobilized seven months later, on 17 June 1916. He initially joined the 14th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment but after a few months was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, serving as a private with the service number 30641.

Frederick was admitted to Huddersfield General Hospital on 4 April 1918 with a septic foot. This had been caused by a scratch on barbed wire and was serious enough for him to be shipped back to England for treatment. Following 23 days in the hospital in Huddersfield, he was pronounced recovered and fit for duty in May. In July Frederick was posted to Italy as part of the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.

It was whilst in Italy serving with the 8th Battalion that Frederick was admitted to a casualty clearing station suffering from problems with his leg. Medical records suggest the injury he had was likely to have been caused by the frequent marching by soldiers and the poor conditions in the trenches. Following his admission to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station Frederick was then treated at the 62nd General Hospital.

Frederick and his wife Matilda had eight children during their marriage, six girls and two boys. Matilda died in 1963 and 13 years later Frederick died in North Cleaveland, Durham at the age of 92.

Civil Parish: Darlington

Birth date: 1885

Death date: 1976

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Merrington Village, Bishop Auckland (1891 Census)
2 Garden Street, Shildon (1901 Census)
7 Station Road, Darlington (1915, Army service record)
6 Richmond Street, Stockton (Post-1915, Army service record)
17 Station Road, New Shildon (Demobilization, Army service record)
24 Whitfield Place, Shildon (1929 Electoral Register)
6 Howlish Terrace, Bishop Auckland (1931 Electoral Register)

Religion: Wesleyan

Employment: Miner (1911 Census)
Insurance Inspector (Attestation Papers)

Family: Parents: Matthew Bartram, Julia Bartram nee Booth
Siblings: Matthew Bartram
Half Siblings: John William Bartram, Mary Jane Bartram
Wife: Matilda Bartram nee Bellwood
Children: Irene Bartram (b 1911), Matthew Henry Bartram (b 1913), Iris Bartram (b 1916), Vesta Lillie Bartram (b 1918), Freda Bartram (b 1921), Constance Bartram (b 1922), Audrey Elizabeth Bartram (b 1924), Patricia Bartram (b 1925)

Military service:

Attested: 15 December 1915
Mobilized: 17 June 1916
Posted home: 2 January 1919
Yorkshire Regiment (11th, 12th, 10th, 3rd, 9th 8th Battalions)
Service No: 30641
Private

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by DonnaA, Durham, England | Fiona Johnson