Fred VITTY Private 14594, 14 th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Died 18 th September 1916. Fred Vitty was born in 1897 at Wheatley Hill in County Durham, his family moving to Fir Tree to work for Harperley Collieries. His father, William, was a hewer, his brother, George, was a putter, and Fred became a pony driver. He also joined one of the first scout troops in the north east in 1910, formed by his father William and his friend Robert Baden Powell. On the 8 th September 1914 Fred and George walked to Howden-le-Wear and boarded the train for Bishop Auckland to enlist. Fred lied about his age as he was only 17. The following day they were in barracks in Newcastle where they joined the other recruits of the 14 th Durham Light Infantry. After completing their training in various camps they landed in France on the 11 th September 1915 and within three days were involved in the fighting near Nielle-les-Ardres. The brothers were involved in a number of different engagements around this area for the next few months in and out of the line. Then on the 12 th September 1916 the 14 th DLI were moved to the south of Fricourt where they made their first appearance on the Somme battlefield. In the early hours of the 18 th September they suffered a heavy artillery barrage, and it was during this bombardment that Fred Vitty lost his life. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, and is also remembered on the Boy Scout Roll of Honour (page 314).

Remembering Our Fallen

Howden-le-Wear History Society