Frederick James Paget
Biography
Frederick James was born in Burton on Trent on the 28th August 1894. (Though his service record gives the date one year later.) He was the second of three children born to Frederick and Isabella Paget. Frederick was Australian and 35 when FJ was born. Isabella was Scottish and 23 when FJ was born. The other two children were Catherine and Alfred Bruce.
By the turn of the century the family were settled in Barrow at 104 Greengate Street where they lived for about four years. Frederick the father was employed as a mechanical draughtsman earning £2 15/- a week and Isabella had some employment with the Vickers Maxim Company. Frederick the father was then admitted to an asylum in Warwickshire initially for two years but then it was stated there was no chance of recovery.
Mrs. Paget with three children to support tried to keep her home by taking on lodgers but it failed to pay. She then took on temporary employment as a housekeeper for Mr. Cole of 5 Dalton Road, Askam-in-Furness in return for maintenance.
There were no relatives on the father’s side to help and Isabella’s mother, in Fleurs Avenue, Glasgow was unable to help as she was dependent on her stepson who was something to do with coal dealing and he was unlikely to contribute.
Frederick James had attended Board School in Barrow for three years and was standard two as well as attending Greengate Sunday School for about four years. FJ was baptised at Ireleth Church on February 25th 1903 and on February 27th the Vicar supported Mrs. Paget’s application for the boys to go to St. Mark’s Home. It was said Natland was near enough to visit.
The Vicar of Ireleth described Isabella as a superior type of woman with spirit and ability but unable to obtain employment while the boys were with her. Mrs. Paget insisted on having the boys back if her circumstances changed and she would not agree to emigration. It was suggested that Mrs. P was employed by the Home but there is no evidence that this happened. The grandmother was not pleased and said her grandchildren were not Waifs and Strays but little gentlemen.
Between April 8th 1903 and the 9th October 1907 Frederick James and his brother were at St. Mark’s or boarded out under supervision. It is recorded that in February 1906 their mother was contributing 5 shillings a calendar month to support her boys. Mr. Wilkinson of 104 Duke Street guaranteed up to £10 for the boys’ keep but sadly he went bankrupt. Askam Parish were unable to help and it was suggested that Sedbergh School might take the boys as they liked to have cases to support.
In the event the boys returned to their mother at 5 Dalton Road on the 9th October 1907. Later the family moved to 84 Mount Pleasant where Isabella became a boarder’s housekeeper.
Service Record
The date of Frederick’s enlistment was not originally known but is now believed to be April 1918. He served as Second Lieutenant Frederick James Paget with 206 Squadron of the Royal Air Force.
How They Died
Frederick died on the 6th August 1918 aged 23 after having received mortal wounds in aerial combat.
His mother Isabella was informed of his death under her new name of Mrs. Bradley and living at Crivelton House, Stank, Barrow.
Where They Rest
Frederick is buried at St. Omer, France in grave V.D.34 of the Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery and his name is recorded on the Natland and Barrow War Memorials. The inscription on his grave says:
“A glorious death is his, Who for his country dies.”