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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: hexhamlad on Monday 30 October 17 18:11 GMT (UK)
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Seeking information on Sgt Frederick Thompson DCM Durham Light Infantry, KIA Sicily 1943, buried in Catania War Cemetery.
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What kind of information?
He was 23 when he died according to cwgc website which also gives his parents names and his wife's name. That information should help with any research
https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-war-dead
If you are looking for his service record - please see this link
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0
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http://www.rootschat.com/links/01kzb/
That page has a photo of his headstone.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle 06 Dec 1944
The D.S.M. was presented to Mrs Thompson, wife of the late C.S.M. Frederick Thompson, of the D.L.I. She was accompanied by her sister, Miss Smith, of Humber Street, Chopwell.
Given the above, this looks like a probable marriage registration on Free BMD:
Q2 1939, Durham N.W. 10a 766, Frederick Thompson, Lilian Smith.
Boo
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Thank You, that's very helpful.
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We aren't allowed to do look ups in the 1939 register, but a free search for Humber Street shows Joseph Smith (born 1905) plus a Frances A Smith and 6 more people plus 2 closed records at No. 9.
Doing a free search by name brings up a Lilian Thompson (born 1920), plus a Joseph Smith and 6 more people plus 2 closed records. Given that her name is available on the register she is likely to have died since the register was taken.
Boo
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That sounds correct, Lilian Thompson was nee Smith. Her Husband was the Son of Frederick and Alice Thompson but I have yet to find them living in Chopwell.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Edward
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Do you have the marriage certificate/parish marriage register entry for Frederick and Lilian?
If so, what does it say about Frederick's occupation and address at the time of his marriage? and also the occupation of his father? Any witnesses with the surname Thompson who could have been a sibling of Frederick?
Though Lilian Smith's family seem to have been living in Chopwell for a while, Frederick and his family could have been anywhere in the North East - or even the country! By the time the 1939 register was compiled Frederick may have already been in the army and Lilian went home to live with Mam and Dad - or they could have been living with Mam and Dad before he joined up - or any number of scenarios are 'possible'
The marriage cert may not give you a definite clue, but the only other thing I can think of
would be his WW2 service record (see Carole W's post for how to apply). Though as they seem to have married in Q2 1939, I'd hazard a guess that Lilian would have been down as next of kin and I don't have enough experience of WW2 service records to know if a place of birth would be mentioned - though a date of birth probably would be.
Boo
If he were mine, I think I'd start with the marriage cert as the cheapest and quickest first option.
Boo
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I had a quick firkle on the web for Frederick and found this:
http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/sicily1943.htm
If you do Ctrl and F on that page and search for Thompson there is a paragraph on Frederick and the circumstances which resulted in him being awarded the D.C.M.
Boo
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The Evening Chronicle - Wednesday 9 August 1944 has two memoriam notices:
'Thompson (9 Humber Street, Chopwell),
In loving memory of my beloved husband C.S.M. Freddie Thompson, D.C.M. killed in action Sicily, August 9, 1943 aged 23 years. Always in my heart. Never to be forgotten by loving wife Lily.
'Thompson (Chopwell). In loving memory of C.S.M. Thompson D.C.M. (Freddie), killed in action Sicily, August 9, 1943 aged 23 years. Well done, thou good and noble servant. Always remembered by all at 9 Humber Street, Chopwell.
Best Wishes :)
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Thank You very much indeed for this information, I am assuming that the people in 9, Humber Streetare Sgt. Thompson's in-laws as his wife was nee Smith and there are Smiths living at 9, Humber Street. I am unable, so far, to trace Sgt. Thompson's parents, Frederick and Alice THompson and am wondering if, in fact, they were not residents of Chopwell. Never mind, we'll keep digging.
Thank You Again,
Edward
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Hi hexhamlad,
Found them! :). See the third notice which records where his parents lived.
In the Evening Chronicle - Thursday August 9 1945 there are three memoriam notices.
'Thompson (Chopwell). In loving memory of Freddie, killed in Sicily, Aug. 9 1943. Always in our hearts and thoughts. Lovingly remembered by all at 9, Humber Street.'
'Thompson (Chopwell), In loving memory of Freddie, killed in Sicily, August 9 1943. Some where, some day, some time we will meet again. Always remembered by his loving wife Lily.'
'Thompson (9 Bewick Road, Blackhall Mill). In loving memory of our dear son Freddy, killed Sicily, Aug. 9, 1943. Many lonely heartaches, many a silent tear, Always a secret longing wishing you were here. Ever in the thoughts of his loving mum and dad, sisters, brother.'
Best Wishes :)
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Oh well done that girl! That's a brilliant find :-)
Boo
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1939 register (via a free address search)
9 Bewick Rd, Blaydon UD
Frederick Thompson, born 1884
Alice Counsell (Thompson) (so it looks like Frederick died and she remarried at some stage)
and 1 closed record
Name search for Alice Counsell (Thompson)
gives Blaydon UD
Alice Counsell (Thompson), born 1883
plus Frederick Thompson and 1 closed record
Free BMD Marriages Q4 1951, Durham NW,
Alice Thompson and John W Counsell
Boo
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"Possible" Electoral Rolls:
Spring 1924, Blackhall Mill, PC of Durham , Blaydon
9 Pear Tree Bungalows
Frederick Thompson
Alice Thompson
ditto in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1931
Boo
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Took a while, but I think I have a maiden name for Alice
The 1939 register says she had another marriage to John W Counsell , that was in 1951
and the lovely folk at Durham Registrars have the entry in their online search
They have two surnames recorded, Thompson and Spence
So I reckon young Freddy's birth registration is highly likely to be this one
Q4 1919, Weardale, MMN Spence.
and there is a likely marriage on the same site
Q3 1905 Weardale Alice Spence and Frederick Thompson
This is just my opinion, without the certificates I have no way of knowing for sure, but it does look like its worth checking out
Boo
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Well done, Boo, on finding out all this extra information! :)
Freebmd shows that an Alice Counsell's death was recorded in the June quarter of 1963 in Newcastle and that this person was aged 80. I wonder if this could be Freddie's Mother?
Best Wishes :)
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Some fantastic research there folks, Thank You very, very much indeed. I had hoped to find some living relatives of Sgt. Thompson and to pass on to them the photographs I took in Catania cemetery in Sicily earlier this month.
It is tragic that Sgt. Thompson won his DCM in North Africa but was killed in action in Sicily before the award was announced. He lies in Catania War Cemetery, just a couple of rows away from my Father. It is equally sad that details of his heroism seem to be completely unknown in his home village of Chopwell, when I went there last week I found no-one who knew about Sgt. Thompson or his brave deeds.
Thank You so much to everyone for your generous assistance, it is extremely kind and I am most truly grateful.
Edward
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It is equally sad that details of his heroism seem to be completely unknown in his home village of Chopwell, when I went there last week I found no-one who knew about Sgt. Thompson or his brave deeds.
Edward
There are so many stories, ordinary men who did extraordinary deeds in very extraordinary circumstances. Bless them.
Boo
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Hi hexhamlad,
One idea might be to consider sending the photo of Freddie's grave to the 'North East War Memorials Project.' This fantastic website is being archived by 'The British Library' and if you sent the photo and any research you have found out about to them then this would help commemorate Freddie's memory well on into the future. I am sure they would be most grateful to receive a photo from you.
www.newmp.org.uk
Several years ago I attended a history event and took along a Great War plaque commemorating one of my own ancestors and a photograph was taken of this for the website. Then I started to send in information on my own ancestors who had been in the wars - mainly family background. Since then a lot more information has been added by volunteer researchers and I now have the satisfaction of knowing that the memory of these ancestors will live on and that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
I now sometimes do voluntary researching myself when I get spare time. I must say I often find my breath taken away by the stories I come across or find myself totally moved by the stoicism and unsung bravery of those who lived and served during the wars. I was astounded lately to discover that a dear old man (now deceased) who had been a neighbour and a long time friend of my parents had once carried out a brave act of heroism during the second World War. He lived quietly and was unassuming and I never knew anything about his brave deed until I came across this when researching old newspapers!
Hopefully, one day one of Freddie's descendants may see your post and be able to contact you for the photograph you have so thoughtfully taken for them.
I think it is such a shame that so many unsung heroes and heroines are at risk of just being a name carved on stone and getting consigned to oblivion.
Best Wishes :)
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Good Morning,
I couldn't agree more with your sentiments, the story of the remarkable deeds done by seemingly unremarkable people need to be recorded and credit given for the part they played in keeping us free. I have recently returned from Sicily, having located my Father's grave after a lifelong search and, after attending the re-dedication service, walked round the cemetery (Catania ) and was amazed, not only by the number of graves the cemetery contained but also by the number of those who, like Frederick Thompson, had won gallantry awards. A lot of brave men, they deserve to be remembered.
I will certainly contact the NEWMP and see if they will include Frederick Thompsons details on their website, thank you very much for your information and assistance.
Best Regards,
Edward
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I'm following this thread with interest...Edward, is this the story of your father?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/04/british-twins-find-second-world-war-grave-of-father-they-never-met-edward-sydney-graham
If so, congratulations on your tenacity. It must have been an overwhelming experience to know that his grave has at last been identified and to visit it.
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Good Morning,
Yes indeed, that is one of the reports which appeared about the re-dedication service in Catania War Cemetery. The story actually attracted an amazing amount of media interest and went viral with articles appearing in all sorts of newspapers all over the country. I was also interviewed by the local BBC TV, then the ceremony was featured on BBC's 10 o'clock news and while I was on my home I was diverted to Manchester to appear on the Breakfast show. Thankfully, the fuss is now dying down and I can walk down the High Street or go in to the co-op without being stopped every 10 yards !!.
The search to find my Father's resting place took many years and was as much a battle with burocrasy as anything else, the breakthrough came when I was able to find the Grave Concentration Cards, these detail where casualties were uplifted from the battle area for re-burial in an official war cemetery. I was fortunate to have the assistance of a very remarkable military historian and when the information was presented to the M.O.D. they agreed with our findings and done a remarkable job of organising the re-dedication service. I have been extremely fortunate but I know, from letters and e-mails received, that there are many others still engaged on a similar search and I am determined to assist them in any way I can.
Thank You for your kind interest,
Edward
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Frederick Thomson is commemorated in Chopwell!
The 1939 - 1945 war memorial is inside St John's Church and his name is on that.
http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=6875#listlink
http://www.newmp.org.uk/memorial_image.php?contentId=6875
The names on the roadside war memorial are only from WW1, with the exception of one from the Korean War see http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/42094
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Thank you very much for this information, I will visit Chopwell next week to leave a wreath at the memorial. Thank You for your interest.
Edward
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I had a quick firkle on the web for Frederick and found this:
http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/sicily1943.htm
If you do Ctrl and F on that page and search for Thompson there is a paragraph on Frederick and the circumstances which resulted in him being awarded the D.C.M.
Boo
Just for information the link above is no longer active the new link is ;-
https://durhamlightinfantry1920-46.weebly.com/sicily-1943.html
Jim
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Thanks for that Jim, Links do change over time and its frustrating when old posts look promising but the you find the link is no longer valid.
Boo
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Thank you for all the info, haven't traced Freddie Thompsons people yet but haven't given up hope either.