Private Fred Metcalfe
44534 12th Manchester Regiment
Formerly 24703 East Lancashire Regiment
Missing in Action 31st October 1916, aged 20
Lived at 4 Norman Street
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Commemorated on Burnley Lads Club Memorial
Burnley Express 25th November 1916

Burnleys Great War Centenary

Sponsored by: Max Ardern

Fred Metcalfe was born in Burnley the son of George William and Mary E. Metcalfe of 4 Norman Street, Burnley. He enlisted in Burnley serving as Private 24704 in the East Lancashire Regiment transferring to be Private 44534 in the 12th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He was killed in action aged 20 on Tuesday 31st October 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial on Pier and Face 13A and 14C.

The Burnley Express of Nov 26th 1916 reported:-
“ Soldier Brothers Hit. One Killed. One wounded.
Mr and Mrs Metcalfe of 4 Norman Street, Burnley have had the sad news that one of their soldier sons has been killed and another wounded. The son killed is Pte. Fred Metcalfe (44354) of the Manchester Regt. aged 20. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs. Bancroft & Co., Elm Street and enlisted on February 29th last., being attached first of all to the 3rd East Lancashire Regt., and later transferred to the Manchesters. He had been at the front since July 8th and was killed on October 31st. He was a member of the Burnley Lads Club and a keen footballer.
The news of his death came in a letter from Corpl. E Thompstone, who wrote: “I am just sending you a few lines to perform a very unpleasant duty. I am very sorry to say that your son Fred was killed by a sniper in the first line trenches. He was acting as a runner, and had repeatedly done several brave deeds in going between our two lines. He just started on a message when he met his death. He was a good lad and was liked by all his comrades in the platoon. He was always very willing and did his duty fine. It happened on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 31st and he was buried the same day. All the lads send their deepest sympathies and best respects and condole with you in your loss.”
The son wounded is Bombardier Herbert Metcalfe of the R.F.A. he is now in hospital at Glasgow. His section officer writing to Mrs Metcalfe on November 4th said:- “By the time you get receive this you will know doubt have received news from the War Office of the wound received today by your son Bombardier Metcalfe, and as his section officer I am deputed to give you detailed information about his injuries. At the time he was on duty as “lookout” in rear of the guns and the shell which caused his wound fell about ten yards from him, and splinters hit him in the neck and fleshy part of the foot. I can say at once that his injuries are slight and in no way dangerous. He was quite near a dressing station and received immediate attention. His wounds are of course, painful, but he bore them very calmly and pluckily, and on his way to the rear our captain saw him, and he was having tea and quite cheerful. We are all very sorry that he has had to leave us, and have every reason to hope that it will not be long before he returns to us. Another son and a son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Metcalfe are in Salonika.”

The family had three sons killed in the war. Fred’s brothers Herbert and Sam were also killed.

Notes
Burnley Express In memorium for Oct 27 1917 he was remembered by “Sweetheart May. Brother and sister in law Annie 22 Belford St.”
Wedding on 24/4/15 at St Peter’s Church. Walter Metcalfe, aged 27 bachelor, painter of 4 Norman Street, son of George William Metcalfe, weaver married Elizabeth Ann Smith aged 26 spinster of 252 Colne Road daughter of James Smith (deceased), farmer. Witnesses were FRED METCALFE and Elizabeth Bold.
1901 Census – 17 Norman Street – George W. Metcalfe (42) Cotton Weaver, May E. (42), Arthur (16) weaver, Walter (13), Ethel (11), Sam (9), Herbert (7), Fred (5).