Thomlinson Window

Thomlinson portrait

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 15/05/1943 carries two columns and a photograph to record the death at Seaton Carew yesterday of Lieut. Colonel Sir William Thomlinson, V.D., D.L., J.P. in his 89th year.

He was closely associated with the Y.M.C.A. movement, was the founder and first commanding officer of the Imperial Lad's Brigade. He devoted much time and energy into furthering of the volunteer movement locally and was an officer in the old 4th D.R.G.A. retiring with the rank of major. He was also an officer in the D.L.I.

As Deputy Lieut. of the County he applied himself with vigour and initiative to the military side of that position and during the last war was responsible for the raising and training of two battalions of the Durham Light Infantry. This work occupied him during the first two years of the war and in 1917-18 he commanded a number of voluntary units including artillery and engineers forming part of the Coast Defence group for the County of Durham. In the early stages of the war he himself volunteered for foreign service but was not allowed to undertake this.

After the last war he took a prominent part in the formation of the West Hartlepool branch of the British Legion due to his great interest in the welfare of ex-servicemen. He had been the honoured president of the branch since the death of Colonel Robson in September 1936 and very rarely did he miss a Legion parade.

His fine public service was recognised in June 1936 when he was knighted by the King.

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 19/05/1943 reports the memorial service at Chrict Church West Hartlepool and the private funeral at Holy Trinity Seaton Carew. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

In 1920 Colonel Thomlinson gave to Holy Trinity Church Seaton Carew the chiming clock and four bells in the tower as a thanksgiving for his mercies and for the great deliverance 1914-1919. See S118.12

Colonel Thomlinson unveiled a number of local War Memorials in the 1920s.