Fred's Story.
Born 28 October 1895 at Wildboarclough, Fred was the only son of farmer, William, and Elizabeth, (nee Frost), Trueman, shown to be living at Green Barn Farm, Sutton, in the 1901 census, this was also their address in the 1911 census. Fred had an elder sister, Fanny, he formerly attended Langley Wesleyan Chapel and Sunday school.
Prior to his enlisting, he worked on his father’s farm. Fred enlisted at Macclesfield, stating he lived at Gawsworth. After completing his basic training at Codford St Mary, he went to France 26 September 1915 as part of the battalion’s original draft.
He served with the battalion throughout the winter of 1915/16. In March 1916 he was taken ill, Fred died in hospital, Thursday, 30 March 1916, the report states “acute nephritis” he was aged 21 years.
Thirteen months after Fred died on Sunday 29 April 1917 a stained-glass window was unveiled at St. James Church Gawsworth. In the window centre panel is St. George and the Dragon, with the motto “St. George for England.” The panel was a reproduction in glass of an old mural painting which was destroyed during the restoration of the Parish Church in 1851, thankfully drawings had been made before they were scrapped. Around the centre panel are eight shields bearing the names of some of the old families of Gawsworth, Fytton, Orreby. Pownall are three of the known names. In the bottom centre panel inscribed in 17th century style lettering “In memory of Fred Trueman, 10th Cheshires, who died for his country in France, 30 March 1916. Give rest O Lord to thy servant.”
Before dedicating the window, the rector said, “We meet at this the Lord’s own service to unveil and dedicate to the greater glory of God and in pious remembrance of Gawsworth’s first soldier to give his life for home and country, a memorial window.”
Sadly, for the village of Gawsworth within a month two other local men, Private George Arthur Bennett and Private John Hargreaves, both also serving with the 10th battalion would be killed.
Prior to his enlisting, he worked on his father’s farm. Fred enlisted at Macclesfield, stating he lived at Gawsworth. After completing his basic training at Codford St Mary, he went to France 26 September 1915 as part of the battalion’s original draft.
He served with the battalion throughout the winter of 1915/16. In March 1916 he was taken ill, Fred died in hospital, Thursday, 30 March 1916, the report states “acute nephritis” he was aged 21 years.
Thirteen months after Fred died on Sunday 29 April 1917 a stained-glass window was unveiled at St. James Church Gawsworth. In the window centre panel is St. George and the Dragon, with the motto “St. George for England.” The panel was a reproduction in glass of an old mural painting which was destroyed during the restoration of the Parish Church in 1851, thankfully drawings had been made before they were scrapped. Around the centre panel are eight shields bearing the names of some of the old families of Gawsworth, Fytton, Orreby. Pownall are three of the known names. In the bottom centre panel inscribed in 17th century style lettering “In memory of Fred Trueman, 10th Cheshires, who died for his country in France, 30 March 1916. Give rest O Lord to thy servant.”
Before dedicating the window, the rector said, “We meet at this the Lord’s own service to unveil and dedicate to the greater glory of God and in pious remembrance of Gawsworth’s first soldier to give his life for home and country, a memorial window.”
Sadly, for the village of Gawsworth within a month two other local men, Private George Arthur Bennett and Private John Hargreaves, both also serving with the 10th battalion would be killed.
Medals: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
These medals were sent to his parents who had moved to ‘Sycamore’ Slade Lane, Over Alderley, Chelford.