Fred Stretton
- Family History
- Military History
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Fred Stretton was the son of William Stretton and Mary (née Cross), who were married in 1872. According to the information William provided on the 1911 Census they had been married for 39 years and had had 13 children of whom only 11 were still living. Twelve children have been traced from census and birth registration records: Eliza b. 1873, Louisa b. 1875 d. 1875 , Clara b. 1876, Harry b. 1878, Herbert b. 1880, Fred b. 1882, Ernest William b. December 1883 (reg. 1884 J/F/M), Frank b. 1885, Mabel Mary b. 1886, George Edgar b. 1889, Arthur b. 1892 and Grace Ida b. 1896. All the children were born in Basford. The Stretton family lived at: 7 Brown’s Croft, Basford [C.1881]; 25 Cheltenham Street Basford [C.1891 & CWGC]. William Stretton, who was employed as a bricklayer, died at Nottingham in 1926, aged 74. His wife, Mary, had died in Nottingham at the age of 68 in 1922. In 1915 Fred Stretton married Lillie Lowe at Nottingham. They appear to have had one child: Hannah (b.1916). The post-war address for Lillie Stretton given in the CWGC records was Prospect House, Prospect Street, Radford. This was the Lowe family home in 1911. Lillie Stretton did not remarry and died, aged 74, at the The Convent Nursing Home Woodthorpe, Nottingham in November 1956. Her home address at this time was 50 Wynndale Drive, Nottingham. Fred's brother, Harry Stretton, served in the Sherwood Foresters and was killed in action on 16 September 1916. Harry's brother-in-law, Fred Pendleton, was killed in 1918. Their sister Grace married Lance-Corporal Alfred Lisle Martin, RAMC (BEF), at Queensberry Street Baptist Church, Basford, on 19 September 1917
2/5th Bn The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) He was killed in action on 21 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France Bay 7 and 8).
Fred's brother Harry Stretton served in the Sherwood Foresters (2793 Private) and was killed in action on 16 September 1916 (Thiepval Memorial). Harry's brother-in-law, Fred Pendleton, served in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) and was killed on 11 April 1918. (See records on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 21 October 1918: ‘Stretton. In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Fred Stretton, reported killed in action October 21st 1917. Ever in our thoughts. Loving wife Lillie, also brother and sister George and Ada.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 21 October 1918: ‘Stretton. In loving memory of Pte. Fred Stretton, North Staffs, killed in action October 21st 1917. Also Pte Harry Stretton, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action Sept. 13th-16th, 1916. Mother, father sisters, brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Stretton Fred of 41 Hazlewood-road Hyson Green Nottingham private in HM army died 21 October 1917 in France Probate Nottingham 26 March to Lillie Stretton widow. Effects £443 12s. 9d. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow, Lillie, was his legatee Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 8 April 1926: ‘Stretton. On April 6th, William Stretton, the beloved husband of the late Mary Stretton and son of the late Thomas Cox Stretton, of Old Basford, Nottingham. Interment General Cemetery, (-) Friday, 230pm. Peace, perfect peace.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Stretton William of 25 Cheltenham-street Old Basford Nottinghamshire died 6 April 1926 Administration Nottingham 31 August to Herbert Stretton wicker manufacturer. Effects £408 13s. 4d.
