William Barratt (1891–1994)

Farrier Sergeant

Royal Field Artillery 81546  

Courtesy Mark Barratt

William Barratt aged 100

William aged 100

Biography
A native of Park Head, Crich, William variously worked as a collier, a blacksmith and as a farm labourer throughout his long life. During WW1 he served with the RFA and was appointed farrier sergeant. He married Ida Ludlam in Q2 1927, (Belper Area) and had two sons. He latterly lived at Mapperley for a number of years, before spending his final years with his son and family at Ilkeston. At his death in 1994, aged 103, he was the last surviving Crich Parish WW1 veteran.

Notes
William Barratt is of particular interest as he was the last surviving war veteran from the 395 names listed on the original 1920 Roll of Honour in the church. He passed away in 1994, aged 103.

Medal Index
He was awarded the Victory and British War medals

Newspaper Reports
(Courtesy Mark Barratt)

Derby Evening Telegraph 12 April 1991
William (100) has never had a holiday William Barrat aged 100
PENSIONER William Barrett is living proof that hard work never hurt anyone.
The Ilkeston ex-Army sergeant has reached his 100th birthday without ever having a holiday.
The last time Mr Barrett saw the sea was in 1918 when he landed at Dover after serving in the First World War.
His youngest son Charles said: "He has never seen the sea since and says he isn’t bothered if he never sees it again.
"He’s never been away on holiday but it doesn’t seem to have done him any harm.
Neither does the pipe that he still smokes or the odd drink that he has now and again."
Besides serving in the Army, Crich-born Mr Barrett worked as a blacksmith, a farm labourer and a civil engineer.
Now life for the widower is spent quietly at the home in Nesfield Road which he shares with Charles (62) and daughter- in-law Doreen (61).
The family celebrated Mr Barrett’s birthday yesterday with a get-together with the pensioner’s other son Henry (64), his four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Derby Evening Telegraph 16 August 1994
William's hard, long and happy life
FORMER Army sergeant William Barratt has died aged 103– after a lifetime of hard work and no holidays.
Mr Barratt, formerly of Mapperley village, spent his last 12 years living with his son Charles (65) and daughter-in-law Doreen (65) in Ilkeston.
He died in the town's Community Hospital on Thursday after an 11-day stay.
Mrs Barratt, of Nesfield Road, said her father-in-law was a popular man known to many in the town.
She said: "He was always a hard worker during his time in the Army, as a blacksmith, down the pit and on farms– he never had a holiday.
"He was a real character. If he something to say he said it and didn't mind who heard.
"He was very active until about two months agowhen he became ill. He really enjoyed his life."
Crich-born Mr Barratt, who was widowed fourteen year ago, has one other son Henry (67), four grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The funeral is to take place at Mapperley Church, Mapperley Lane. tomorrow at 2.30pm.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Park Head, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Henry Barratt Head 35 Coal miner Crich
Eliza Barratt wife 30   Crich
Henry Barratt son 12   Crich
William Barratt son 9   Crich
Mary Ann Sheldon mother in law 63   South Wingfield

RG13 piece 3231 folio 32 page 2

1911: Park Gate, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Henry Barratt Head 44 Miner Crich (naturalised)
Eliza Barratt wife 39   Crich
Samuel Barratt Snr son 22 Miner Crich
Effie Barratt son's wife 21   Wessington
William Barratt son 19 Miner Crich
Samuel Barratt Jnr grandson 3   Wessington
Mary Barratt granddaughter 2   Wessington
Baby Barratt granddaughter 1mo   Crich

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1918 Crich Voters List
Barratt William, Park Head – absent on military service

1939 Register: Plaistow Green
Barratt, William b. 11 April 1891, Farm labourer
Barratt Ida b. 12 November 1904
William R Barratt b.27 May 1927; school
Charles E Barratt b.10 May 1929 ; school