Fred Cartwright - a Totley Soldier
Totley History Group mounted a display of WW1 memorabilia at the Dore & Totley United Reformed Church over the period from 8th to 11th November 2014. We appealed for material in the Totley Independent and here is a lovely contribution from Jeanne Blantern Hughes about her grandfather, Fred Cartwright, and his wife Emma (nee Booth).
Joseph Frederick Cartwright was born in Lincoln on 20 January 1886, the son of Thomas Cartwright, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary Ann. When Fred was aged five, the family moved to Kirton-in-Lindsey and Fred went to school there. A bright boy, he gained a scholarship to Gainsborough Grammar School but could not attend as his family were unable the to afford the uniform, text books etc.
Fred's first job after leaving school in 1900 was on the railway in Leeds but by the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Norton and working as a cost clerk for Hatfields Steel.
Emma Booth and Fred Cartwright
On his way to work each day from his lodgings at his cousin's house, he passed 38 Chantrey Road, the home of Emma Booth, the second daughter of Benjamin Beeley Booth and Alice Wolstenholme. Alice was a grand-daughter of Job Green, landlord of the Cross Scythes, Totley.
Emma Booth and Fred Cartwright's wedding party group, at Toft House orchard. Seated are Emma's brother Bert and her mother and father.
On 29 May 1912 Fred and Emma were married at St Paul's Church in Norton. Benjamin and Alice were living at Toft House by this time and Fred and Emma's wedding party were photographed in the orchard there. The couple set up home at Moorview on Butts Hill.
By the outbreak of war in August 1914, Fred Cartwright was in the Territorial Army and consequently was called up immediately. He was a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery and he was serving in France during the second battle of Ypres, 21 April to 25 May.
During his service he kept in touch with his brother-in-law and close friend Bert Booth and a postcard that he sent to Bert survives.
Fred Cartwright's postcard to his brother-in-law
His battery also fought in Belgium and Fred served right through the war without injury but he was gassed and was home on sick leave when his daughter Doreen was born during a snowstorm in January 1917. Fred had to venture out with a lantern to fetch Nurse Jessop from her cottage on Mickley Lane.
After the war, Fred returned to Hatfields and worked there until his retirement in 1956. By the start of WW2 Fred and Emma were living at 47 King Ecgbert Road, Dore, and they both died there, Emma on 14 December 1946 aged 64 and Fred on 16 December 1963 aged 77.
If you have a WW1 story to tell, we would love to hear from you. Please write to us at contactus@totleyhistorygroup.org.uk.