In St. Simon’s (Simonside) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
F.W. Steele
Stoker Petty Officer R.N.
C/KX 107174
H.M.S. “Calliope”
27th January 1942 Age 41
Treasured memory
of my dear husband
Ever remembered
by his wife and family
The son of John N. Steele and Henrietta Collins Steele, of South Shields and the husband of Lily Steele, of Simonside, South Shields.
Frederick William Steele was born on the 2nd June 1900, baptised 17th June 1900, at St Hilda’s Church, the second oldest son of nine children to John Nicholson Steele, (born 14th March 1869, South Shields, died 1943, and Henrietta nee Collins, Steele, born 16th September 1870, North Shields, died 1961), at 4 Rekendyke Lane, South Shields.
The other children were John Nicholson, born 1st January 1895, Charlotte V., born 1897, Robert Henry, 12th August 1902, died 1977, Frances, born 1904, Sarah Collins, born 6th July 1907, died 1996, Margaret, born 1910, Thomasina and Henry died at an early age. John and Henrietta were married in 1894.
In 1901 they were residing at 4 Rekendyke Lane, South Shields. By 1911 they had moved to 83 Eldon Street, South Shields. The father was a General Labourer working from home for a Shipyard. In 1939, John and Henrietta were now residing at 15 Campbell Street, South Shields, both now old age pensioners, with two sons John Nicholson and Robert Henry living with them.
Frederick William Steele married Lily Dalziel, born 16th October 1900, from Simonside, South Shields, in 1920. They had six children, Frederick, born 16th December 1922, Matthew, born 19th November 1924, Robert, born 8th October 1927 and Olive, 27th April 1933, who married a Hunter on the 27th August 1958?. There is possibly two others who are unidentified. In 1939, they were residing at 18 Oldbrough Street, South Shields.
Frederick was stationed at HMS Calliope at Gateshead. His CWGC Headstone has an incorrect Naval number it should read R/KX 107174, as he was under the Rosyth Division.
Stoker Petty Officer Frederick William Steele was taken to Shotley Bridge Emergency hospital, but he died there from Neoplasm of the Lung on the 27th January 1942.
Frederick William Steele is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.
