Pte 36163 Frederick Vose Heaton

Frederick Vose Heaton was born in Parbold, Lancashire, in the second quarter of 1888, the son of Abraham Thomas Heaton and his wife Ellen (née Atherton). His father, born in Newtown, and his mother in Wigan, married in 1885 and had seven children. Fred had an older brother Percy, born in Newtown, and younger siblings John, Ethel, Ella, Herbert, and Arthur, all born in Parbold.

 

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Gorcer's Shop Railway Terrace, Parbold. His father, Abraham is T. is a 34 year old grocer, his mother, Ellen, is aged 30 with no occupation listed. They have three sons in the household; Percy Atherton is aged 4, Frederick is aged 2 and John Belsher is aged 1.

 

The 1901 Census finds the family in Station Road, Parbold, with five children.  His father is now recorded as a 40 year old grocer working on his own account, his mother, Ellen, is  39 years of age. They have five children in the household; Percy A. is 14 years old, Frederick is 12, John B. is 11, Ethel M. is 8 and Ella Y, is aged 5.

 

Frederick was featured in the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser on 16th February 1907 under the header:

 

 

 

 

The 1911 Census shows Fred and five of his siblings are living with their parents at the Post Office, Common Lane, Parbold.  His father, 52, is the postmaster and grocer, his mother is 49. His parents advise that they have been married for 25 years and have had 7 children all of whom have survived.  Frederick V. is  aged 23, and a school teacher for the Lancashire Education Committee, John B., 21, is a grocer’s assistant, Ethel M., 18, is at home, Ella G, 15, is an assistant teacher in a private school, HerbertA., 9, and Arthur G., 6, are at school.

 

Frederick enlisted in Wigan and was serving with the 21st (Reserve) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 36163 when he died at Woodlands Hospital in Southport on 02nd August 1916, aged 28.

He now rests at Douglas (Christchurch) Churchyard. A photograph of his headstone is featured on this website.  

His death was announced in the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser on Saturday 05th August 1916

We regret to record the death of Pte. Fred V. Heaton, second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Heaton, “Gordonville,” Parbold. Deceased was attached to the 21st Reserve King's Liverpool Regt., and had been ill for five months. He died on the 2nd inst. at the Woodlands Hospital, Southport. Deceased was formerly assistant master at St. Thomas School, Clayton-Street, Wigan. He was very well known and highly popular with all who had the privilege of his acquaintance The funeral will take place at Douglas Church, Parbold, to-day (Saturday).

His father received Fred’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £3.  Probate was granted to his father, sub-postmaster, in the amount of £146. 

 

Probate was granted to his father on 04th October 1916:

 

HEATON Frederick Vose of Gordonville, Parbold, Wigan died 2 August 1916 at the Woodlands V.A.D. Hospital, Southport, Lancashire Administration Lancaster 4 October to Abraham Thomas Heaton sub-postmaster. Effects £146.  

 

His father died in 1925, aged 68.

 

In 1939 his mother, 79, is living on private means at 2, Bradshaw Lane, Wigan, with his younger siblings Ella, 43, Herbert, 38, and Arthur, 35.

 

His mother lived through the Second World War and died in 1946 at the age of 85.

 

Fred is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Parbold Roll of Honour