William Frederick's Story.
Frederick William Bradshaw (known as William) was born in February 1892 to Frederick John and Lillian Bradshaw. He was one of 4 children as listed in the 1911 census, the others being Alfred, Lillian and Ernest.His brother Alfred, joined the Kings Liverpool Regiment and DOW on the 11th July 1916.
William is listed as a joiner in his service papers and lived at 34 High Street in Runcorn.
On the 6th September 1916 he married Frances Leigh Dale, referred to as Fanny on alot of the pension papers. Their marriage though does not appear on any online records apart from Williams service records. Frances appears in the 1911 census living with her Grandfather (?), Henry and his Emily Temperance Dale. He is a shipwright and living in a large house called The Terrace in Halton. It can be assumed that Frances mother was either Lydia Mary Dale or Jane Dale.
William joined on the 10th December 1915 and was posted to France on 7th March 1917 as a gunnner with the RGA.
His records state that he was injured on 13th march 1918 but did not require any medical treatment and remained with his unit.
He was injured again on the 9th April and this time admitted to the 34th Field Hospital. On returning to his unit he was then reported as being wounded and then missing on the 19th April.
His records highlight the grief that Frances went through as she tried to find any information regarding her husband with her correspondance with the Army asking for any information regarding her husband.
She moved to Oak House, Silverdale, Carnforth by 1920 and then later moved to Kendal in the Lake District. She received a widows pension.
No notications were posted in the Runcorn papers regarding William.
William is also commemorated on the Marble Tablet at Brunswick Chapel.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth