Frederick's Story.
Fred Randles and a Bert Bentley are remembered on the Christ Church Memorial, they served with the Kings Own Shropshire Light Infantry. Bert’s story will be added in his own right but follows the same guardian article, as the two lads, the best of mates, died within days of each other but starting with Bert’s census.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Frederick Randles in Northwich in 1892. The 1911 census records the Randles family living at 90 Lydyett Lane Barnton, Northwich, with Joseph E. Randles, head of the family aged 48, Engine Drive at the Chemical Works, born Runcorn; Sophia, wife aged 47, with 7 children still living, born Barnton; Jessie aged 22, Home Help, born Barnton; Frederick aged 18, Labourer at the Chemical Works, born Anderton; Winnie, aged 15, Dressmaker, born Barnton; Joseph E. aged 11, School, born Barnton.
Northwich Guardian 21st May 1915. DOUBLE BEREAVEMENT AT BARNTON. TWO MEN KILLED FROM ONE HOUSE.
The awful consequences of the war are being brought home to the residents of Barnton in a manner that is very sad. The village has sent a large proportion of its young manhood to fight for England’s honour and every week the names of someone from Barnton appears is the list of killed or wounded.
This week at least three Barnton men are reported to have been killed in action and others wounded. In one case a family have suffered a double bereavement, having lost their son and a friend of his, who of late years had made his home at Barnton. We refer to Private Fred Randles, son of Mr. and Mrs Joseph Randles, of 6 Broadway and Private A. Bentley. Both belonged to the Shropshire Light Infantry and it is a remarkable coincidence that they had stuck together like brothers whilst in the army and were not divided in death for they were killed within a short time of each other.
Private Fred Randles joined the Army about three years ago and Private Bentley had been with the Colours for nearly six years. Their regiment was in India when the war broke out and was ordered for active service. Before going to the Front, Private Randles spent a few days with his parents and Private Bentley had also been to Barnton. He was wounded in an earlier engagement and stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Randles during his sick furlough. These two friends were closely attached to each other and from the time that Fred Randles joined the Army, Bentley had made his home with his chum’s parents, as he had neither mother or father. Private Randles was 21 years of age and Private Bentley’s age was about 26.
Mr Joseph Randles is a much-respected employee of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co., and is the oldest craft engineer in the service of the firm. The family are prominently identified with the Primitive Methodist cause at Barnton, and Private Fred Randles was a Sunday school scholar. He had been at the Front since February 5th.
CASTLE SOLDIER BREAKS THE SAD NEWS
PRIVATE RANDLES KILLED WHILE HELPING A WOUNDED OFFICER.
The painful news of the death of Private Randles and his chum, Private Bentley, was communicated in a letter sent by Private T. Hankey to his mother, who resides at Castle, Northwich. The letter, which is dated May 12th reads:- “I am pleased to say that I am still dodging them, (the German shells). It has been murder up here the last few days. We have had about a month of it now but this last lot has crowned everything. We came out of the trenches at daybreak this morning and were called back again about four hours later.”
“Our brigade, the 80th, has got a very good name again from the General. How we held the Germans back I do not know. They must have been 20:1. I have seen some awful sights out here. Only last night there were six officers and four men blown to bits in a dug-out, which I had only just left.”
“I am very sorry to say that both Fred Randles and A. Bentley have been killed. I don’t know Randles address but if Lil sees any of the Bowyers, ask her to tell them to break the news to his parents. Death was almost instantaneous. I saw him buried and put a cross of his grave. He was killed while carrying his company officer, who was wounded. He was killed about 100 yards from where I was.” On the cross are the words:- “Private F. Randles 9722 K.S.L.I. killed in action 9/5/15 while carrying his company officer to safety.”
“The members of the company,” proceeds the letter, “are all very sorry indeed, for he was a good soldier and was always willing to carry wounded comrades under the heaviest fire. As his people knew he was a stretcher bearer. He was a great chum of mine and I cannot say how sorry I am to lose him.”
“As regards A. Bentley, he was killed by a shell whilst in the trench. He also died very quickly and suffered no pain whatsoever. I did not see him buried but he was laid to rest by the men of his company and also had a cross put on his grave. Both Mr. and Mrs. Randles and all belonging to them, have my deepest sympathy.”
C.W.G.C. remember a Frederick Randles, Pte., Service No 9722, with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry “E” Coy., 2nd Bn., died 8th May 1915 aged 23, at the YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL. (Panel 49.) Belgium. Son of Joseph Edward and Sophia Randles, of 13, Cross St., Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card a Frederick Randles of the Shropshire Light Infantry No 9722, awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medals, Theatre of War (1) France and Date of Entry 18-2-15. The card records K. in A. 8-5-15.
B. M. & Co. record two lads named Randles at the Winnington Works in the pre war listings including a Joseph Edward Pte., 59th Training Reserves, he was awarded the S.W.B. From the census this looks like Fredericks brother. The second lad is named Joseph Bert (Albert?) Randles and not thought to be in this specific family.
N.A.M.C. have a medal cards for a Joseph Edward Randles with the Training Reserve, Reg’t No 49846. He also was posted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Pte., No 58006. Awarded the Victory and British medals, he was also awarded the S.W.B. Silver War Badge.
Research Bob H.