According to the obituary in the NEG of November 1st 1918, Fred Bethel was the son of Mrs. Bethell of the Wellington Inn, Earlestown. CWGC gives his parents as Arthur James and Emma Bethell of 43, Earle Street, Earlestown.

He was an old scholar of St. Mary’s, Earlestown, and previous to joining up was in the employment of the Argenta Meat Co., at Earlestown. He had put in four years service without being wounded. He died at Rouen from bronchial pneumonia following influenza.

Fred was one of three brothers who served. Sergeant Bert Bethell was wounded by shrapnel on September 5th 1918 during fighting in the La Bassee district. Another brother was in the navy.

Fred is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime in a grave with reference S.II.II.2. There were many hospitals based near Rouen for most of the War and the Extension, started in September 1916, has over 8000 burials.
It is possible that Fred was one of the victims of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.