Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Harry Thornton, a warehouseman, born 1857 in Hoton, Leics., and his wife Emily Ann Thornton (nee Scott, married in the 1st quarter of 1893 in the Kensington, Middx. district), born in the 1st quarter of 1862 in Oakham, Rutland. Frederick William was born on the 20th September 1897 in Oakham, Rutland, his siblings were, Frank Cecil, born in the 2nd quarter of 1896 and Arthur, born 1899, both his siblings were born in Oakham, Rutland. In March 1901 the family home was at High Street, Oakham, Rutland. In April 1911 Frederick was residing in the family home at High Street, Oakham, Rutland together with his father, a warehouseman, his mother and siblings, Frank, a clerk in the County Education office, Edith Mary, born 1901 and Doris Emily, born 1903, the latter two siblings were both born in Oakham, Rutland. The family later resided at Bromley House, South Street, Oakham, Rutland. His elder brother Frank Cecil also died. Frederick was seventeen years of age when he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at Crystal Palace, Sydenham with other Oakham boys in November 1915. He served in the A.D.M.S. and was a first class gunner in SS Hellenes. He made many journeys to America and Italy, and on two occasions engaged submarines in the Atlantic. He contracted influenza, and developed pneumonia while on active service, and he died in Mill Road Infirmary, Liverpool.