Alfred Charles Fretwell (1891 - 1973)

Born 19 Sep 1891 in Crowle, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ada (Winter) Fretwell — married 11 Jul 1915 in Crowle Parish Church (CoE), Crowle, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 21 Dec 1973 at age 82 in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Fretwell [send private message]

Biography

Alfred Fretwell was born in Lincolnshire, England.

Alfred Charles Fretwell was born on the 19th Sept 1891 in Crowle, Lincolnshire. He was the son of Tom Fretwell and Eliza Rhoades and possibly their 10th child. There are no further address details given on the birth certificate. Tom Fretwell is recorded as the father with the occupation as farm labourer. Tom is recorded as making his mark rather than a signature. Eliza Fretwell is recorded as Alfred's mother with her maiden name recorded as 'Rhodes'. The birth was registered on the 31 October 1891. ^[1]

On the 18 October 1891 Alfred was baptised in Crowle. ^[2]

On the 11 July 1915 marriage to Ada Winter both in residence of Crowle at the time of marriage. Alfred is recorded as a Labourer and as a bachelor and Ada as a spinster. Father is recorded as Tom Fretwell with first name as Thomas and occupation as Labourer. Father in laws name is recorded as John Winter and occupation as Groom. The marriage took place in the Parish Church of Crowle, St Oswalds. Alfred and Ada both sign the marriage certificate. ^[3]

On the 17 Nov 1915 birth of son Charles Fretwell therefore Ada must have been at least three months pregnant at the time of the marriage. Alfred's occupation is recorded as farm labourer and he is the informant of the birth. ^[4]

In Jan 1916 Conscription was introduced for single men between the ages of 18 and 41 and in May 1916 it was extended to married men. Alfred would have been deemed to have enlisted from 25 May 1916. No trace of Alfred's war service record has yet been found.

However his index card record & entry in the roll of the British War Medal have been found.^[5] Alfred served in the Royal Horse Artillery as a Driver, number 240472, on the north western frontier of British India. The medal he was awarded was the British War Medal, which implies that he left the UK during the Great War but did not enter a 'theatre of war', otherwise he would have also qualified for the Victory Medal. He is likely to have served in the 72nd Divisional Ammunition Column whilst in England. The 72nd Division was ordered to be broken up in December 1917 and this was completed by April 1918.^[6]

The birth of daughter Mary Fretwell on the 26th August 1917 would suggest Alfred did not get posted overseas before November 1916, 9 months prior to her birth. ^[7]

In September 1939 liability for conscription was introduced for all men between 18 to 41. Alfred would have been 48. By 1942 it was raised to 51 which would have been Alfred age on the 19 September 1942. Alfred therefore is likely to have avoided conscription in World War 2 due to his age.

On the 21 December 1973 Alfred passed away in Brumby Hospital, Scunthorpe. Cause of death is given as '1.a. Uraemia b. Bronchopneumonia.' Charles Fretwell was the informant of the death. Alfred's occupation is given as Railway Platelayer (retired) and usual address as Fieldside, Crowle, Isle of Axholme. ^[8]

Abode/s

Alfred lived in Crowle, Lincolnshire, throughout his life at, at least, four seperate addresses. Alfred only lived outside Crowle on two seperate occassions.

1. As a servant Horseman on a farm in Eastoft, Lincolnshire on the 1911 Census
2. During World War One as a Driver in the Royal Horse Artillery in which he was sent to India.

Occupation/s

Alfred occupations in order from the records are

1. Servant Horseman on Farm 1911 Census
2. Labourer 1915 Marriage Certificate
3. Agricultural Labourer 1915 Birth Certificate of Charles Fretwell
4. Driver in the Royal Horse Artillery, World War One records
5. Relayer, Great Central Railway, 1921 Census
6. Relayer on Railway Maintenance, 1939 Register
7. Railway Platelayer (retired), 1973 Death Certificate

Children

Alfred and Ada had two children together both born in Crowle.

1. Charles Fretwell 1915 - 2002
2. Mary Fretwell 1917 - 1998

Census

In the 1901 census Alfred (age 9) was the son of Thomas Fretwell in Bleasby Yard, High Street, Crowle, Crowle (Lincoln), Thorne, Lincolnshire, England.^[9]

In the 1911 census Alfred (age 18), Horseman on farm, single and a servant of John Drury in Team Farm, Eastoft S O, Lincolnshire, England.^{[10] [11]}

In the 1921 census Alfred (age 29) was the married head of household on Field Road, Crowle, Lincolnshire, England.^[12]

In the 1939 register Alfred (age 47), Relayer On Railway Maintenance, was recorded as married on Field Lane, Crowle, Isle of Axholme R.D., Lincolnshire (Parts of Lindsey), England.^[13]

Research Notes

Further research is needed to find out

1. What unit/division & where he served in within the UK
2. When left UK
3. where he served and in what unit/division
4. When he returned to England
5. Post war occupation details
6. Cremation details
7. Any other records
8. Any Photos

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 6 August 2022)
   Fretwell, Alfred Charles (Mother's maiden name: Rhodes[sic]).
   GRO Reference: 1891 Oct-Nov-Dec in Thorne Volume 09C Page 826.
   Certificate reference BXBZ 424603. Certificate in possession of Mark Fretwell.
2. ↑ Baptism: "Lincolnshire Baptisms"
   Archive: Lincolnshire Archives; Page: 80
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 6 August 2022)
   Alfred Charles Fretwell baptism on 18 Oct 1891, son of Tom & Eliza, in Crowle, Lincolnshire, England.
3. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005"
   Volume: 9C; Page: 1916
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 6 August 2022)
   Alfred Fretwell marriage to Winter registered Jul-Aug-Sep 1915 in Thorne.
   Certificate reference MXE 946194. Certificate in possession of Mark Fretwell.
4. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 4 August 2022)
   Fretwell, Charles (Mother's maiden name: Winter).
   GRO Reference: 1915 Oct-Nov-Dec in Thorne Volume 09C Page 1681.
   Certificate reference BXCE 582819. Certificate in possession of Mark Fretwell.
5. ↑ The National Archives: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2248828. Accessed 25 Aug 2020.
6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors: "72nd Division" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72nd_Division_%28United_Kingdom%29 Accessed 25 Aug 2020.
7. ↑ 1939 Register: "1939 Register"
   Reference: RG101/6472I/002/20; Piece number: 6472I; Schedule: 303
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 6 August 2022)
   Mary Oades (Fretwell) (born 26 Aug 1917), single, Unpaid Domestic Duties, at Field Lane, Crowle, Isle of Axholme R.D., Lincolnshire (Parts of Lindsey), England.
8. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007"
   Volume: 3B; Page: 1076
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 6 August 2022)
   Alfred Charles Fretwell death registered Oct-Nov-Dec 1973 in Scunthorpe (born 19 Sep 1891).
   Certificate reference QBDY 619848. Certificate in possession of Mark Fretwell.
9. ↑ 1901 Census: "1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census"
   Reference: RG13; Piece number: 4419; Folio: 36; Page: 3; Schedule: 16
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 21 June 2023)
   Alfred Fretwell (9) son in household of Thomas Fretwell (46) in Bleasby Yard, High Street, Crowle, Crowle (Lincoln) in Thorne registration district in Lincolnshire, England. Born in England.
10. ↑ 1911 Census: "1911 Census For England & Wales"
    Series: RG14; Piece number: 28265; Schedule: 9999
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 21 June 2023)
    Alfred Fretwell (18), single servant, Horseman on farm, in household of John Drury (50) in Team Farm Eastoft S O, Yorkshire & Yorkshire (West Riding) in Thorne registration district in England. Born in Lincoln Crowle.
11. ↑ 1911 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1911"
    citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
    FamilySearch Record: XW23-HZS (accessed 21 June 2023)
    FindMyPast Image
    Alfred Fretwell (18), single servant, Horseman On Farm, in household of John Drury (50) in Yorkshire West Riding in Thorne registration district in England. Born in Lincoln Crowle, Lincolnshire.
12. ↑ 1921 Census: "1921 Census Of England & Wales"
    Archive: The National Archives; Series: RG 15; Piece number: 23399; District reference: RD 513 RS 3 ED 2
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 21 June 2023)
    Alfred Fretwell (29), married head of household on Field Road, Crowle, Yorkshire (West Riding) in Thorne registration district in England. Born in Crowle, Lincolnshire, England. Employed by Relayer Great Central Rly Co Civil Engineers Dept.
13. ↑ 1939 Register: "1939 Register"
    Reference: RG101/6472I/002/18; Piece number: 6472I; Schedule: 303
    FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (subscription required, accessed 21 June 2023)
    Alfred (C) Fretwell (born 19 Sep 1891), married, Relayer On Railway Maintenance, on Field Lane, Crowle, Isle of Axholme R.D., Lincolnshire (Parts of Lindsey), England.