Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 16th Battalion, Service No. 19382
Killed in action 3rd May 1917, aged 23
Story
The son of Eber Barton and Eliza Agnes Plows, Fred was born in Kippax in 1894. In 1911, the family were living at Bickerdike Row, and at the age of 17, Fred was unusually a student, so he must have been in advanced education. Just before enlisting in Leeds, Fred moved to 8 Ida View, Stourton. His brother Eddie also enlisted into the West Yorkshire Regiment.
Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 16th Battalion
The 16th (Service) Battalion (1st Bradford) was formed in September 1914 in Bradford by the Lord Mayor. In January 1915, they moved to Skipton and then Ripon as part of the 93rd Brigade of the 31st Division, before moving to Fovant, Salisbury Plain on 10th August 1915. In December 1915, they moved to Egypt and took over a section on the Suez Canal defences. In March 1916, they moved to France and engaged in various actions on the Western Front, including: The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Ancre (1916); and Operations on the Ancre, The Third Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Oppy Wood (1917).
Fred was killed alongside a Private Herbert Naylor who was in the same battalion. They are commemorated at the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, Roclincourt.
Kippax Roll of Honour 