Pelton Cemetery
F. Thompson
Stoker 2nd Cl. R.N. K/50691
H.M.S. Victory
24th June 1918.
William Kirby has submitted the following:-
Frederick, born 29th January 1898 at Chester-le-Street was the eldest son of Thomas Henry and Elizabeth Thompson.
In 1911 the family were living at 5 Old High Rows, Newfield, Pelton Fell. Thomas Henry was a Coal Miner. Frederick aged 13 years was probably still at school.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 05/07/1918 reports:-
Stoker Frederick Thompson had only been in the navy thirteen weeks. Prior to this he was a miner at Pelton Fell colliery. Proceeding to a naval base for training he contracted a violent cold and although previously to going away he enjoyed the best of health, the new condition had an adverse effect upon his health and he died at Halen Hospital, Portsmouth on Monday night after only a few days illness from pneumonia. His father in the meantime in reply to an urgent message proceeded to the hospital and was present when he died.
It having being decided to bury him at Pelton the body was conveyed there by train on Friday morning.
A military funeral tool place on Sunday in the presence of a large concourse of persons. A firing party proceeded the hearse consisting of a detachment from Ouston of the H Company 9th Volunteer battalion who marched with arms reversed in charge of C.S.M. S. Hutchinson followed by the Regimental band under the leadership of Mr I. Almond, playing the Dead March in Saul. Then came a division of St John Ambulance from Pelton Colliery under Sergt. J Lowes.
The funeral cortege was met at Pelton Church by Rev. A.C.C. Firman, curate who conducted the service throughout which was full choral. The choir sang as a processional hymn "Fight the Good Fight." The coffin was borne from the hearse by sailors. The choir then chanted the 90th psalm and also sang the hymn "Let Saints on earth in concert sing" and as the coffin was being removed from the church the hymn "On the Resurrection Morn" was sung.
The service concluded at the grave with the singing of the "Nunc Dimitissus" by the choir. Three volleys were then fired over the grave under the direction of Sergt. JR Johnson followed by the strains of the band who played "Rock of Ages." The Volunteers then presented arms and the Ambulance Corps who had formed a guard of honour at the approach to the grave saluted whilst the last post was sounded by Sergt. Hall.
The family mourners included his parents, sisters and grandparents. There were also present Capt. and Adj. Curle, My Guy Armstrong, Mr J.R. Mole J.P. together with a large number of neighbours and friends estimated at a thousand persons.
A number of beautiful floral tokens were deposited on the grave. Mr Johnston of Pelton carried out the funeral arrangements.
Frederick's records state he died at the VAD Hospital Alverstoke, Hampshire 24th June 1918.
HMS Victory was a shore-based station at Portsmouth during 1914-1918.
Frederick Thompson is remembered at Pelton on P26.01 and on our List of Ships’ crews
