Thomas FATTORINI

09 November 1917

SKIPTON OFFICER WOUNDED

Second-Lieutenant Frank Fattorini, York and Lancaster Regiment, son of Mr. T. Fattorini, of Rockwood, Skipton, whose name appears in the casualty list on Tuesday for the second time, was ‘gassed’ in August, and had only been back with his regiment a fortnight when he received a shrapnel wound in his face and was invalided home.

His younger brother [Thomas Fattorini, killed in action, 13 August 1918], who holds a commission in the Royal Flying Corps, has just got his ‘wings’ as airman pilot.

23 August 1918

WOUNDED AND MISSING – Lieutenant Thomas Fattorini Missing

We regret to hear that Lieutenant Thomas Fattorini, a pilot in the Royal Air Force, is reported missing. His father, Mr. Thos. Fattorini, of Rockwood, Skipton, having received official intimation to that effect. The date given is August 13th. We sincerely hope that the next few days may bring reassuring news as to the gallant lad’s fate.

06 September 1918

Lieutenant Thomas Fattorini, R.A.F., Skipton

We deeply regret to announce that an official intimation was received on Sunday of the death in action on August 13th of Lieutenant Thomas Fattorini, second son of Mr. Thomas Fattorini of Rockwood, Skipton. As announced in the ‘Craven Herald’, he had previously been reported missing. At the time of writing there are not many details available, but it appears that Lieut. Fattorini met his death while engaged on a voluntary photographic reconnaissance over the enemy’s lines; and we are sure that a generous sympathy will be extended to Mr. Fattorini and his family in the sad loss they have sustained.

Lieutenant Fattorini enlisted as a Private in the Artist’s Rifles in November 1916, when he was only seventeen years of age. Soon afterwards volunteers were required for the Royal Air Force, and he at once offered his services and was accepted. He quickly made headway in this branch of the Service, and by his superior officers was regarded as a very fine pilot and as one likely to go far. He had served two periods at the Front, and had made several daring raids over the German lines. Deceased was educated at Mount St. Mary’s College, Derbyshire, where he was the head of his class and also head of his division of the school in sports. Shortly before enlisting he had joined his father’s business at Bolton.

Mr. Fattorini has received a letter of sympathy from Captain J. M. Mason, Royal Air Force, from which we take the following:– “I have been waiting before writing to you in an effort to find out something more definite about the fate of your son. I very much regret to have to tell you that there is now no doubt at all that he was killed in action on 13th August. We have had intimation from the Army that they have found the remains of a British machine on the outskirts of the village of -----. By the side of this were two graves, one marked “Lieut. Fattorini, R.F.C., found Aug., 15th” and the other marked “An unknown Airman, found August 15th.” The second grave is presumably Lieut. Parkes, who was acting as his observer. In addition to this, the wreckage found has been identified as the machine they were in at the time. With all this evidence we can hold out no hope of them being alive. On behalf of myself and the other officers of the Squadron, I offer you our most sincere sympathy. Lieut. Fattorini was loved and respected by all of us, and his death is a great loss. He always showed the utmost gallantry while in action, and the Squadron has lost one of its finest pilots and best officers.”

A letter of condolence his also been received from a pal who says:– “I was in the same hut with Tom at Stonehenge last April, and shared the tent with him out here. All the boys here miss him immensely, as he was one of the merry party, and perhaps the most popular officer amongst us. They all send their deepest sympathy.”

An officer in the Squadron to which Lieut. Fattorini was attached has confirmed the information contained in the letter from Captain Mason. He says that Lieut. Fattorini had been sent on a long reconnaissance with an observer. For this work a height of 15,000 to 18,000 feet had to be maintained. The country to be observed was in a section of the line where fierce fighting had recently taken place, and it was protected by a well-known Hun ‘circus’. Lieut. Fattorini, he thought, was probably surrounded by this formation and shot down, as he fell within the enemy lines. His grave was identified by the Canadians when they advanced two days later.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

LIEUTENANT T. FATTORINI

Royal Air Force, second son of Mr. T. Fattorini, ‘Rockwood,’ Skipton. Killed in action August 13th, 1918, whilst flying over the enemy’s lines; aged 19 years.