Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Thornton, a hosiery trade counterman, born 1872 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Ann Thornton (nee Riddington, married in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a hosiery trade seamer, born 1873 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. Fred was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Fleckney, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Annie, born 1897 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, Victoria May, born 1898 and Elizabeth, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Saddington, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Saddington, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Fred was employed as a hosiery factory assistant overlooker and was residing in the family home in Saddington, Leicestershire, together with his father, a hosiery factory overlooker, his mother and siblings, Annie, a hosiery trade worker, Victoria, a general domestic servant, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, Arthur a schoolboy, born 1902, Thomas James, a schoolboy, born 1906 and Francis Herbert, born 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Saddington, Leicestershire.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 - BOYELLES. The attack on the village of FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES was made on this day. There were three objectives, 1st SENSEE RIVER from approximately T.18.b.5.3. to U.2.b.5.5. 2nd junction of SENSEE RIVER and SUNKEN ROAD at T.18.b.5.3. – U.7.c.6.5. – U.7.d.7.8. – U.14.a.7.2. – U.4.c.4.3. The 64th Infantry Brigade to bomb south eastwards down HINDENBURG LINE. Two tanks were attached to the 110th Infantry Brigade. Zero hour was at 3.45am (summer time) and the attack started under a creeping barrage. The Battalion was disposed in two waves of two lines each, with a wave of moppers up behind. From right to left “A” Company (Lt. J. R. GLOVER) “B” Company (Captain A. G. ASTLE) “C” Company (Major T. L. WARNER) formed the line of attack each Company having a two platoon frontage. “D” Company (2nd Lt J. W. CORBETT) was drawn up in two lines, 60 yards in rear. The formation was two waves, each of two lines 10 yards between lines and 60 yards between waves with “D” Company as moppers up. The 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT attached on the left of the Battalion. On the right, the flank was secured by the possession of the HINDENBURG LINE as far as the BLOCK, beyond this the flank was to be secured by the 64th Infantry Brigade. Bombing attack down the line. The morning was very dark, sunrise was not until 5.23am (summer time), the dust and smoke from our own barrage and that of the enemy which opened almost simultaneously, making it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Direction was lost rather early and the line swung over to the right, being compelled thereto by the 18th Division on the left, crossing the front of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and pressing then to the right. By 6.00am it became evident that the attack had failed. No progress had been made by the 64th Infantry Brigade bombers in the HINDENBURG LINE, and the front of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was outflanked, in parts surrounded, and with a prospect of being cut off. The left flank (“C” Company) had been held up by excessive machine gun fire and took up a position in the sunken road running into FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES through U.1.b. The remainder of the Battalion were on a line roughly 300 yards south of the jumping off place BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c. and d. to road in O.31.c. Here the Battalion remained and at about 11.30am, it was reinforced by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. This line was held throughout the day and consolidated. No assistance was given by the two Tanks during the attack, both of them breaking down. The following casualties were suffered by the Battalion during the action, Officers. Captain A. G. ASTLE and 2nd Lt. F. E. PRATLEY killed, Major T. L. WARNER, 2nd Lt. G. B. JOHNSON, 2nd Lt. R. J. HARRIS, 2nd Lt. R. L. SENNETT and 2nd Lt. P. H. HILL wounded, Lt. F. R. OLIVER missing believed wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt. F. W. H. CLARKE wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lt’s F. B. PITTS and W. HARRIS Prisoner’s of War. Other Ranks. Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers, 291 other ranks.