Fred's Story.
Birkenhead News 21 November 1917LABOUR – ALDERMAN’S BEREAVEMENT.
There will be general regret throughout Birkenhead at the news that Lance-Corpl. Fred Naylor, of the 1st South Wales Borderers, eldest son of Alderman F. Naylor, of Well Lane, Birkenhead, has succumbed to the injuries which, as announced in last Saturday’s “News,” he received at the front. Late on Monday night Alderman Naylor, who himself is an R.E. non-commissioned officer now at home on leave received a telegram from the War Office “deeply regretting” to inform him that his son died on the 12th inst. from gunshot wounds in the arm and chest, at No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, France, and expressing the “sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your sad bereavement.”
The news is all the more grievous to Alderman and Mrs. Naylor from the fact that their son died, according to the War Office wire, on the very day that the letter was dated which the Rev. A. H. Denson, chaplain of the clearing station named, wrote to Mrs. Naylor regretfully acquainting her with the fact that her son had been wounded. It is true the letter stated that Lance Corporal Naylor had been wounded in the chest and arm, and was “seriously ill,” but the family heard that he “walked back” after getting his wounds, and they were therefore hopeful, couple with the fact that he possessed a splendid physique, that there was no real danger.
It is now known that the young soldier (he was only 23) received his wounds on the 10th in the attack on Paschendaele (sic), he being in charge of a Lewis gun section. An intimate chum of Naylor’s, Edward Green, of Wigan, who had been with him ever since mobilisation, was killed at the same time. Green and Naylor were both fine footballers, the former playing for Wigan in the Northern Union, while Naylor, when stationed in Ireland, was recognised as one of the finest full-backs in the south, playing in many games in the Ireland Military League. He used to play for the Birkenhead Higher Elementary School in the local Schools League, and also for the Tranmere Congregational team. He joined the Army in August, 1914, with his brother George, who is now serving with the Lancashire Fortress Company in Ireland.
Fred's father, Frederick Naylor became Mayor of Birkenhead 1927-28.
Fred Naylor's grave in Lissjenthoek Cemetery, Belgium.
Information and photo by Chris.