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Frederick Atkinson (1889-1916)


Waldridge miner served with Royal Army Medical Corps


Frederick Atkinson was born, grew up and worked in Waldridge, a mining village, near Chester-le-Street.

He was born in 1889, the third of six children born to miner George William Atkinson, from Woodlands, and Elizabeth Alderson of Barnard Castle.

In 1901, Fred and his younger siblings, Robson, Walter and Alberta attended school while his father worked as a hewer and older brothers Adolphus and George worked as drivers, (below ground), at the colliery.

George died in 1903, aged 16 years. By 1911 Adolphus was a police constable in Sunderland, Walter had found work as a butcher’s apprentice and was studying part-time while 14-year-old Robson worked at the pit as a driver. 22-year-old Fred worked as a putter but was also studying part-time.

After the outbreak of the First World War Fred enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He entered the war in the Balkans on 29 October 1915, attached to the 24th Casualty Clearing Station.

Fred’s service with the RAMC was cut short when he was repatriated to the UK and died at West Derby, Liverpool on 10 February 1916, aged 26 years. He is buried in the family plot with his father, mother, and younger brother, George, at Ropery Lane Cemetery (Plot A347), Chester-le-Street.

Civil Parish: Waldridge

Birth date: 1889

Death date: 10-Feb-1916

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Waldridge, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham (Place of birth 1889)
Waldridge (1891 census)
Poplar Street, Waldridge (1901 census)
Chester Street, Waldridge (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner: Driver (below ground) (1901 census)
Coal miner: Putter & Part-time student (1911 census)

Family: Father: George William Atkinson (1857-1929)
Mother: Elizabeth (1856-1915)
Brother: Adolphus (1884-1959)
Brother: George (1887-1903)
Brother: Walter (1893-)
Brother: Robson (1897-)
Sister: Alberta (1899-1935)

Military service:

Private Frederick Atkinson
Enlisted Newcastle upon Tyne
Territorial Force no. 57654 - Royal Army Medical Corps
Entered war: Balkans 29-Oct-1915.
(British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Card 1914-1920)
Served at 24th Casualty Clearing Station
Died West Derby, Liverpool 10-Feb-1916 aged 26 years.
Buried: Family plot, Chester-le-Street Cemetery, Ropery Lane.
(RAMC in the Great War: profile Frederick Atkinson)

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
1915 Star
(UK WW1 Service Medal & Award Rolls)

Memorial(s): RAMC in the Great War
Colliery Institute, Waldridge, roll of honour (presently at Village Hall)

Gender: Male

Contributed by Brenda Peppin and Tricia Bailey

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