Pelton Cemetery
9800 Private
F. Leighton
Durham Light Infantry
8th December 1914 Age 40.
At Rest
William Kirby has submitted the following:-
Frederick Richard, born 1875, at Bisthorpe, Norfolk, was the son of Robert and Charlotte Leighton.
In November 1894 he joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery and served from 1896 to 1905 in India. He was discharged in 1906.
In 1911 Frederick was boarding with Horace Levi , Rebecca and their son Horace Levi and his wife Margaret at 4 Gill View Pelton Fell. Frederick was a coke filler at the colliery coke ovens.
When Frederick re- enlisted he was living at Low Moorsley, near Fence Houses.
Frederick died at Armstrong College, Newcastle December 8th 1914. He left £28 11s 2d to his brother Robert Leighton.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle reports:-
Death of Pelton Fell "Hero"
On Friday afternoon the funeral took place at Pelton Cemetery of Private Frederick Leighton late of 4 Glen View, Pelton Fell where he had lived with his Mrs L. Lincoln. The deceased was formerly in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was transferred to the 2nd Battery Mountain Artillery, while in India, where he spent ten years. He was present at the Battle of Darghai. On leaving the army he joined the National Reserve when it was formed and on the outbreak of war joined the special Reserve and was attached to training at Forest Hall near Newcastle. He was taken ill with pneumonia and died at Newcastle Infirmary. The funeral was military and choral.A firing party from the 4th Durhams attended with arms reversed, under Colour Sergt. Bradley and the Pelton Church choir was also in attendance. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. The Vicar of Pelton Rev. C.F.B. Haslewood and the Rev. J.W. Scudamore conducted the service. The hymn "Fight the Good Fight" was sung. Sergt. L. Lincoln of the Chester-le-Street Company of the Northern Cyclists' Battalion was also present in uniform. There was a large attendance of mourners.
Recipient of the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother Robert died 3rd September 1942 and is buried with Frederick at Pelton cemetery
Frederick Leighton is remembered at Pelton on P26.01and at Pelton Fell on P27.01
