EMSON, Fred [of Worksop]

Fred Emson in The Borough of Worksop Roll of Honour of the Great War 1914 - 1918

Worksop Guardian, Sissons and Son Ltd

Worksop Guardian 18 August 1916

Private Fred Emson

A great sorrow has overtaken Mrs Emson of 52 Abbey Street, Worksop, a widow now in her 76th year, by an announcement from the War Office that her youngest son, Pte Fred Emson, 11th Sherwood Foresters, is missing and believed to have been killed. The official intimation is supplemented by a letter from the Chaplain, the Rev. A E Hitchcock who writes:-

Dear Mrs Emson, I am sorry to tell you that your son, Pte Fred Emson is reported missing, but believed to have been killed. The Battalion lost heavily on July 1st and the fact that after entering the German trenches, we had to return to our own trenches makes it impossible to obtain exact information of those who have not come back. But it is better to have the worse than to remain in suspense, and it may add to your peace of mind to be told the truth so far as we know it, with sincere sympathy, believe me, yours truly, A E Hitchcock, C.F.”

Pte Emson was 32 years of age, single, and lived at home with his aged mother, whose late husband was in the service of the late Captain Walker, Blyth Hall. He enlisted on September 2nd 1914. “I did not ask him to go,” said his mother to a “Worksop Guardian” representative, “I let him please himself for I knew they wanted men and the poor thing in Belgium and France had been badly treated. But he was a good lad to me and he had always been with me.” Poor old lady, she was in great grief and her heart was heavy within her. It is so sad to see the old mourn the loss of their children. Before enlisting, Pte Emson had been employed in the traffic department of the Worksop and Retford Brewery Co. His last letter home was dated June 23rd, when he said they were preparing to take the offensive. Mrs Emson will have the sympathy of the townspeople at large in her sorrow.