Frederick Charles Spanton

Frederick Charles Spanton 1874 – 1964

Frederick was born on 22nd March 1874 in Nonington, to John, a farmer, and Caroline (née Woollett).

In 1881 John had moved the family to Barfrestone Court, but by 1891 Caroline was widowed and was described as farmer and corn factor. 

At the age of 17, there was no occupation listed against Frederick’s name. He appears not to have married and in 1901 was still living with his mother at Barfrestone Court, working as an auctioneer’s assistant. 

He became a Freemason in the Foreland Lodge at St Margaret’s in 1910, as a farmer. By the 1911 Census he was still single, aged 37 and living with his widowed mother at Lauriston, Shepherdswell.

Frederick enlisted in the Royal Engineers, Kent Fortress Company, service no. 163, rising from private to staff sergeant major and lieutenant. He was mentioned in The London Gazette on at least two occasions, with his overseas action commencing on 8th October 1915.

In 1934, the Dover Express names him as a defence witness in a case involving the sale of a large number of cattle at Upstreet. 

The 1939 Register described him as an agricultural merchant, farmer and corn factor, still living at Lauriston. He died on 10th February 1964 at St Augustine’s Hospital, Chartham, aged 89.