Gunner 882, 2/1st North Midland Battery (Staffs) Heavy Brigade
Fred Betts Snr was born in Darlaston and moved from the Potteries to Armitage with his wife Mary Ann (nee Cooper) and their four daughters in 1889 where he became a presser at the pottery. Fred apparently had a wonderful singing voice and was a mainstay in the social aspects of the village as a member of the Glee Party and often sang solos at events. In 1894 his first son, and as it turned out his only son, Frederick Jnr arrived.
The newspapers of the time frequently mention Fred Snr and by this time the younger potters referred to him as Mr. Betts. The change in ownership of the pottery in 1900 does not seem to have suited him though – it won’t have been helped by the 30% pay cut that was imposed – and the family moved to the potteries in about 1902.
They had two more daughters, but Fred Snr died in 1905 and Frederick and his older sister Elizabeth set up a fruit dealership to make ends meet. Having to join up with the onset of the war would have caused problems with their livelihood but worse was to come when Fred was killed on 27th September 1916. There are no more details available at the moment. Fred is commemorated at Habuterne Military cemetery in France.