Person

Frederick Hindle, known as Fred, was born in Spennymoor on 14 April 1894. His father was bricklayer Frederick Hindle (1969-1936) who was originally from Haslingden, Lancashire. His mother was Margaret “Meggie” Catharine Hindle nee Storey (1872-1942), a fisherman’s daughter from Cullercoats, Northumberland.

Fred’s parents married in Durham in 1892 and at the time of the 1911 census it was recorded they had been married for 18 years and had five children, one of whom had died. Of the living children, Fred had two sisters and a brother. At the time of the 1901 census, the Hindle family were living at 6 Brook Street, Tudhoe Grange. By the time of the 1911 census they had moved to 12 Lower Graham Street, Sacriston. Fred was working as a putter in a coal mine at the time of this census.

It appears that Fred enlisted at the outbreak of the war or very shortly afterwards. His service record suggests that he originally enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) but then transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) at Crystal Palace. He was initially rated as an ordinary seaman and given the service number KX/400. The ‘K’ of the prefix of his number indicates that he had transferred from Kitchener’s New Armies.

Fred served in the Hood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division. He rose through the ratings during his service from ordinary seaman to leading seaman and then to petty officer. He was reported “invalided” in the Chester le Street Chronicle on 10 December 1915. Given his battalion and the timing it is likely that we was wounded during the Gallipoli campaign.

Fred’s wounds saw the end of his active service and he returned to Sacriston. He was awarded a Silver War Badge (number 362) issued on 16 October 1916. This was a medal awarded to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service. He married Mary McKeand nee Maddison in 1918. She was a Sacriston theatre proprietor’s daughter. She had married John George McKeand in early 1916. He served in the DLI as private 20/855 and was killed in action on 9 October 1916. A son, also named John George McKeand, was born in September 1916.

Fred and Mary lived in Sacriston throughout their lives. A daughter named Mary was born in 1923. They ran The Queen’s Head Hotel public house for many years and this was where Fred died on 30 August 1958. He is buried in Sacriston cemetery. He is honoured for his war service on two roll of honour plaques of men who served; one in the Institute and the other in Sacriston Working Men’s Club.

Fred Hindle was awarded the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the Silver War Badge for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 14-April-1894

Death date: 30-Aug-1958

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 6 Brook Street, Tudhoe Grange (1901 census)
12 Lower Graham Street, Sacriston (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner – putter (1911 census)

Family: Parents: Frederick Hindle (1869-1936), Meggie Catherine Hindle nee Storey (1872-1942)
Siblings: Edith Hindle (1900), Wilfred Hindle (1903), Bertha Hindle (1903)
Spouse: Mary Hindle nee Maddison formerly McKeand (1896-1976)
Children: Mary Hindle (1923)

Military service:

KX/400
Ordinary seaman
Acting leading seaman
Leading seaman higher grade
Petty officer
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division

Medal(s): 1914 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Silver War Badge (number 362)

Memorial(s): Roll of Honour Served 1914-18, Institute, Front Street, Sacriston
Roll of Honour Served 1914-18, Working Men’s Club, Sacriston

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan and Lewis Cooper