Fred Singleton

Private 418515. 42nd Battalion. Canadian Expeditionary Force. (Quebec Regt.)

Formerley - Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment.

Born 31st January 1887 in Golcar.

Son of William and Sarah of 108 High St. Scapegoat Hill.

Brother of Mary, Emma, James and Joe.

Occupation: Machinist - formerly Worsted Piecer.

Enlisted in Canadian Expeditionary Force 22nd March 1915.

Killed in action on 25th March 1916.

Special

Buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium. Grave location :-Memorial.

In March 1901 Fred was stationed at the 'Dukes' Barracks in Halifax and served 5 years in the regiment. He served in the South Africa War and was taken prisoner by the Boers and interned. Later he went to Canada and wrote a letter home dated 5th April 1915 saying "You will be surprised to learn that I am a soldier once more, having joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, and I expect to leave here for Europe with the next contingent" In his last letter dated 16th March 1916 he said that he "was in the best of health and did not expect leave for a long time. I am glad winter is over but the Canadians have been well looked after as regards boots, underclothing, socks and tobacco. I do not think the war would last more than five months longer and will certainly be over this year."

He was killed during a heavy bombardment. His name appears on the Roll of honour at Scapegoat Hill Baptist Chapel.