Fred Yarwood

Fred Yarwood was born 20th October 1897 on Piel Island, Barrow in Furness, his father Albert was the local saltworks manager having learned his skills we believe in the Cheshire saltfields.

As a young man Fred served in the army during World War I possibly with the Kings Own (Lancaster) Regiment. Like many at the time he lied about his age in order to serve his country. At the declaration of war in early August 1914 he was still almost 3 months short of his 18th birthday.


		After the War he remained in the Army reaching the rank of sergeant (left), at some point stationed in India. By 1922 though he was out of uniform and employed as a joiner's labourer, as documented on the marriage records. On 22nd December 1922 aged 25 he married Esther Wall (29) at Thornton Parish Church, and moved into Thornton Villas (right) opposite the Windmill. They shared the house with Esther's brother Jim, his wife Annie and their son Bobby. Over the next 7 years Fred and Esther had four children, Violet (Dec 1923), Mildred (April 1925, died in infancy), Harold (May 1926) and Bernard (May 1929).

As the house only had two bedrooms it eventually became impractical so they moved to Poulton Road in Carleton. Fred was initially a self employed joiner but later became chauffeur/handyman to a wealthy businessman living on Bispham Road, Carleton. With the job came a five bedroom bungalow, Dene Royd, surrounded by a large garden and orchard that had been empty and neglected for some years . Fred spent most of his spare time gardening, painting and repairing the property. According to Auntie Violet, "It was really something when he'd finished."

Charabanc trip 1928, probably from Carleton. Fred is exactly in the middle of the line along the far side of the vehicle wearing a flat cap. He has his arm round young Violet, Esther is next to her on the seat. Harold, only 2 at the time, was presumably too young to come along.

I wonder where they were going?

Sadly Fred was only 41 when he died from cancer in Victoria Hospital, Blackpool in February 1939. The family had to move out of Dene Royd and returned to Thornton.

Piel Island in Morecambe Bay is certainly one of the more unusual birthplaces we have come across. The cottages were built in the late 18th century for pilots who were in increasing demand as the shipping industry in Furness flourished. On the aerial photograph below they can be seen in splendid isolation at the top of the island. At the opposite end is the 14th century fortification built to keep cargoes safe from pirates and other raiders. The only other structure of any significance is the Ship Inn, a pub that does remarkably good business in the summer months thanks to the regular ferry service.

Fred was born at No 8 in this isolated group of cottages on 20th October 1897. He was baptised on the mainland at St. Michael's, Rampside, Barrow in Furness on 4th November. Fred's daughter in law Nora Yarwood can be seen chatting to the owner of No 8 who was very friendly and invited them in for a cup of tea.

Piel Island as it appeared on a postcard circa 1903, the Yarwood family would have left 3 or 4 years earlier.