Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Private F H Tipping was serving with the 1^st/4^th Cheshire Regiment when he passed through Peterborough East Station on 24 February 1917 and wrote in the visitors’ book  “A table spoon is clumsy, A tea spoon is much neater, But the spoon I like the best is the Sofa Spoon.”

We have not been able to positively identify this soldier but we believe he may be Frederick Herbert Tipping who was born on 25 January 1897 in Liscard, Birkenhead, Cheshire, the eldest child of Frederick Robert, a butcher, and Emma (nee Jones).  In 1901 Frederick, aged 4, was living at 20, Walmsley Street, Liscard, Birkenhead with Frederick Robert (38), Emma (27) and his sister Marion Bertha (1); also living at the house was his Uncle Robert and Aunt Ada Anne Booth and her husband Frances and their baby Robert.  In 1911, Frederick (14) was a hairdresser’s apprentice and living with his family at 16 Charlotte Road, Egremont, Cheshire; there were now four siblings Marion Bertha (11), Ida Evelyn (9), Florence Edith Jones (6) and Muriel (2).

We have not been able to trace Frederick’s service records, but his medal record reveals he left the UK to serve in Gallipoli on 16 July 1915.  He also served in the King’s Liverpool Regiment and was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Frederick married Louisa May Lewis at Chester in 1925 and they had two daughters Marion (1926) and Frances (1935).  In 1939, Frederick and May were living at 33 Borough Road, Wallasey and Frederick is a steward caretaker at the Liberal Club.  The records for their two children are still officially closed.

Frederick died at St Catherine’s Hospital Annexe, Birkenhead on 8 January 1961, aged 63 years.  He was living at 14 Church Road, Seacombe, Wallasey.

Is Tipping your family name?  Please get in touch if you can help us confirm the identity of this soldier.