Name
Rowland Barnfield
22/06/1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/03/1921
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
55658
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BEVERLEY (ST. MARTIN'S) CEMETERY
C.E. 112. 8.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Pre War
Rowland Gale BARNFIELD was born in Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire, on 22nd June 1893, son of John Senior Crawforth, a Poultry Dealer and Hanna Maria “Anna” Crawforth (nee Smelt). His parents were married on 29th February 1892, at St Mary’s Church, Beverly, Yorks.
Rowland was baptised Roland Gale CRAWFORTH on 5th July 1893, in the Parish Church of St Silas, Sculcoates, Hull, Yorks.
His father John Senior Crawforth died in 1896, aged 49.
1901 Census he is recorded as Rowland G Crawforth, aged seven living with his Grand Parents, Joseph and Sarah Smelt and their family at 7 Norwood Terrace, Beverly, Yorks.
1911 Census he is recorded as Rowland Barnfield (it is not known why or when he changed his Surname to Barnfield) aged 17, employed as a Butcher/Domestic Servant, he is living with his employer Widow Sarah Jenkins (a Butcher) and her immediate family at 71 Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Glamorganshire, Wales.
Wartime Service
Rowland enlisted in October 1914, as Rowland Barnfield, and posted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at their Infantry Base Depot, Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales, with the service number 203303, later posted to the 10th Battalion with the service number 55658, from there he was poster to the 1st Battalion. Seeing action on the Western Front.
In late 1917 the 1st Battalion was moved to Italy, taking up positions along the River Piave, in late January 1918. They were involved with the crossing of the Piava River in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.
Rowland was discharged on 3rd December 1918, aged 25, under Army order 291. 2. (a) Para 392 (xvi) KR (No longer physically fit for war service) with a 60% disability. He was issued the Silver War Badge, number B57387, on 27th December 1918.
Rowland died of Tuberculosis (TB) on 19th March 1921, his death was registered in Edmonton, Middx. He is Buried in St Martins Cemetery, Beverley, Yorks. Grave Ref: C. E. 112. 8.
Additional Information
The St Albans Cathedral Diocese records suggest a connection to Cheshunt.
At the time of his death we believe he was living at 129 Crossbrook Street, Cheshunt, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
