W.+FREARSON

Frearson, William, Private, 77365, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Born Borrowash, Derbyshire Enlisted Derby Resided Spondon, Derbyshire Killed in action 31st March 1918 aged 19

William Frearson (1898-1918) was the eldest son of Reuben (1870-1912) and Louisa (née Lloyd, 1871-1962) Frearson. They had 7 other children: May (died in infancy in 1895), Maud (also died in infancy in 1896), Walter Frederick (1901-1982), Dorothy (1902-1985), Sydney (1904-1992), Agnes Vivian (1906-1971) and Phyllis Lillian (1908-2001).

All the children were born in Borrowash, where the family were still living in 1901. But by the 1911 census they had moved to 51 Moor End, with Reuben was a railway labourer (as he had been all his working life), probably for the Midland Railway. Reuben died in 1912 and the family moved next door to 53; William’s brother Sydney and family continued to live there for many years (although by 1939, Louisa Frearson was running a confectioner’s shop in Cobden Street, Derby).

William initially enlisted joined up in 1916 and gave his occupation as “farm labourer” but was not actually called up until a year later. As he is named on the Midland Railway Memorial in Derby as a labourer in the “way and works department” he may have changed jobs. He was posted to France in December 1917.

On 21 March 1918, when the German Army attacked on the Somme, the 21st Division was in reserve. Rushed forwards to the front, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry counter attacked, only to be driven back. In four days of fighting. The battalion lost almost 500 men killed, wounded or missing, including the commanding officer killed in action. William was recorded as killed between 21st and 31st March. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

He is a first cousin of Frederick Frearson, both grandsons of Frederick (1829-1909) and Tamar (née Shaw, 1828-1912) Frearson.

Photograph supplied by Jacqueline Lloyd, widow of Donald Saysell, nephew of William Frearson


 * Spondon**
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 * Spondon (St. Werburgh's Church)**
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