Frederick Arthur Barton

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Frederick Arthur Barton was born on the 5th of February 1916 and baptised on the 8th of March 1916 at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Newington, Yorkshire. He was the son of Stephen & Alice Maud Barton (née Hartley) who had married on the 18th of October 1902 in the Parish Church of St. Philip, Kingston-upon-Hull.

Frederick's father served in the Royal Navy in the First World War and was demobilised in 1919. The next time we see the family all together again was on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, when we find them living at 10, Ash Grove, Eastbourne Street, Hull.  Stephen Barton was a General Labourer for the Corporation Tram Power Station (the Electrical Power Plant for the trams in Hull) in Osborne Street, Hull and Alice was doing ‘Home Duties.’ The family had grown and we see Frederick Barton for the first time. Their eldest son, Edwin Barton, was 17 years and an Errand Boy for the Co-operative Society Ltd.; Frank Barton, 15 years was an Apprentice to Mr. F. Casson, Picture Frame Maker and Guilder, 20 Bond Street, Hull; Alice May Barton 13 years, Nora Barton 10 years and Fred Barton 5 years and 4 months old were all at school; and twins Douglas Barton and Beatrice Barton 2 years and 7 months old made up the family.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, sees the family growing up and had now started to drift away. Stephen and Alice were living at 144, Hawthorn Avenue, Kingstone-upon-Hull with their daughter, Beatrice and their son, Horace, who had been born in 1924.

The Hull Daily Mail dated the 6th of July 1944 gives more detail about Frederick Barton. As a boy, Frederick Barton went to Westbourne Street School and when he left school he joined the Army. He had served in it for seven years in India. In 1944 he had gone to France with the 50th Division where he had been killed in action in Normandy. It also tells us that he was the third son of Mr & Mrs. S, Barton of 21, Hampshire Street, Gipsyville, Hull and the family had four more sons serving.

Frederick Barton was serving with the 5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment who landed at intervals from 07:25 on, Gold Beach on D-Day. The battalion faced heavy enemy fire in front of Ver-sur-Mer and in particular from a German 88mm gun at La Rivière to the east. The battalion then progressed inland past Ver-sur-Mer but had to fight through various other German defensive positions. Frederick Barton was first buried in Villers-le-Sec near where he probably died, but was reburied on the 21st of October 1944 at Bayeux Cemetery where he now lies.

Tributes to him were published by family members in several editions of the Hull Daily Mail which showed he was so loved by his parents and siblings. One of the more poignant was the one from his parents, sisters and brothers published on the 04th July 1944:

Barton, Frederick Archer (sic) killed in action during June. He did his duty, he did it well. What he suffered none can tell. He lies far away in a soldier's grave. But in our hearts he will always remain. From broken-hearted mam, dad, sisters and brothers

Hull Daily Mail: L-R 04 July; 05 July; 07 July 1944

 

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Frederick Barton. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Frederick, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.