Fred Wetherill Wileman

War Service

Fred Wetherill Wileman served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and died on 4th February 1944 age 19. He is commemorated at the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy - Panel 9.
Pontefract & Castleford Express 1 September 1944 p4 (with photo)
“KILLED AT 18
18 year old Pte Fred Wetherill Wileman who from infancy lived with his grandmother Mrs A Wetherill of Maltkiln Yard, Ferrybridge has been killed in action. He joined the Black Watch Regiment some 18 months ago giving a wrong age. After leaving school he worked as a labourer for Messrs A Ripley & Sons, Building Contractors of Leeds, and other firms. His parents Mr & Mrs F Wileman live at Yeadon, Leeds.”
A memorial service at Doncaster Road Methodist Chapel is reported in paper 15 September.
He must have been discharged from Black Watch and then joined Sherwood Foresters
[Oral evidence recalls he was always known in the village as Fred Wetherill]
Pontefract & Castleford Express 15 September 1944 p1
“IN MEMORIUM
Linked with the usual evening service at the Doncaster Road, Methodist Church, Ferry bridge, on Sunday, was a memorial to a former scholar of the Sunday School, Private Fred Wetherill Wileman, whose death in action was reported recently in “The Express”. Mr C G Matthews of Pontefract, who was the preacher, expressed sympathy with the family and friends; and a special hymn was sung. Private Wileman, whose parents live at Yeadon, Leeds, was the grandson of Mrs A Wetherill of Malt Kiln Yard, Ferrybridge, and lived with her.”

Family Life

Fred Wetherill Wileman was born in the second quarter of 1925 and his birth was registered at Pontefract. His parents were Frank Wileman and Sara Eliza nee Bennett, who had married in the fourth quarter of 1924 and their marriage was registered at Pontefract.

Cassino War Cemetery