Binns,+Fred+7724

Private, 3rd Bn. Royal Scots. Service No: 7724 Age: 33. Date of Death: 10/04/1916. Son of Frederick and Martha Binns, of 86, Chip Hill, Oakworth. Cemetery: OAKWORTH (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCHYARD, Spec. Memorial.
 * Binns, Fred**

'Chip Hill' has been identified as somewhere in the area around Bogthorn/Sykes head/Goose Cote Lane area of Oakworth.

According to the Army Medical records - death notice sheet in his service records, Fred's reason for death was written as //Melanotic Sarcoma of Liver// which translates as a blackened cancerous tumour, or put plainly, liver cancer.

From the 'Keighley News' dated 15th April 1916: ||= Buried elsewhere in this churchyard 7724 Private F. Binns Royal Scots 10th April 1916 Age 33 ||
 * = [[image:Binns_Fred-small.jpg align="center"]]

Fred is remembered with a special memorial stone in the churchyard of Oakworth's Christ Church. The memorial inscription reads: Buried elsewhere in this churchyard 7724 Private F. Binns Royal Scots 10th April 1916 Age 33

The death took place at the East Leeds Military Hospital on Monday of Private Fred Binns (33) 2nd Royal Scots, son of Mrs Binns, of 86, Chip Hill, Oakworth. Private Binns had seen nearly fifteen years' service, joining the army shortly before the outbreak of the Boer War, during which he was a gymnastic instructor in this country. He served five years in India, and at the outbreak of the present war, being a reservist, was recalled to the colours, gong out to France immediately and taking part in the now famous retreat from Mons, the battles of the Aisne and Marne, and subsequent engagements up to the fighting at La Bassoe where he was wounded in the foot and back by shrapnel. He was brought over to hospital in Ireland, and the ship in which he came over was sunk by a mine on its next voyage. On reaching convalescence, he spent a few weeks at home, then went to Weymouth, and acted as a military policeman, and alter to Edinburgh, where he was a signalling instructor. About three months ago, he visited his home, and being taken ill, was removed to the Spencer Street Hospital, and later to Beckett Street Leeds, where he died on Monday last. Before the war he worked at Barnoldswick as a moulder, and was well known in that town and at Keighley.
 * Text of news clipping from the Keighley news dated 15th April 1916:**

The Funeral took place at Christ Church, Oakworth on Thursday afternoon, the Rev. J. Harrison (Primitive Methodist minister) officiating at the house, and the Rev. J. W. Pendleton (Vicar) at the church and grave side. The route to the church was lined with people, and as the Royal Scots were unavailable seven members of the 21st West Yorkshire Regiment from Skipton, in charge of Sergeant Gill, who came by permission of the Commanding officer and at the request of Captain Kent (recruiting officer from Keighley) acted as bearers. There were also present nine wounded soldiers from the Spencer Street Hospital. A number of floral tributes were sent.

Because Fred was 'in theatre' from 13th August 1914, he was one of the early British Expeditionary Force men who later became the 'Old Contemptibles'. The qualifying period for the clasp and rose for the 1914 Star was 5th August 1914 to 22nd November 1914.