Fred Finan

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Gunner Fred Finan

1629365, 8th Reserve Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

Fred Finan was born in Dewsbury on the 18th September 1909, the son of Dewsbury couple William Finan and his wife, Emma Brown who married in Dewsbury in summer 1901. In 1911, John, a woollen spinner, and Emma were living at 27, Lacey Street, Dewsbury with their three sons: Willie, John and Fred.

Fred married Mabel Charlton in summer 1939 and a son, John J. Finan was born in late 1939. It is likely that the marriage and the birth of a son were both in Ossett since by this time Fred and Mabel, born 14th August 1912, were living at 27, Maypole Yard, The Green, Ossett and Fred was working in a rag warehouse as a layer-on. Following Fred’s death Mabel married Norman Brooke in summer 1944.

Gunner Fred Finan died on the 24th January 1941 aged 31 and is buried Row 3, Grave 20 in Holy Trinity Church, Ossett. His death was registered in Wakefield.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headstone (Photograph courtesy of local historian, Joan Smith)

References:

1. Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site