Born in Lostock Gralam near Northwich in Cheshire he was one of eight children.  His family moved to Leicestershire when he was about 13.  By the time he was 16 the family were at Shipperbottom Farm in Walmesley Lancashire & he seems to have been an agricultural labourer until enlisting into the Grenadier Guards in 1914 at the age of 20. He never married & has no known grave. 

edith freeman