Frederick Christian Dietrichsen

He was a member of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps as a private, leaving in 1904. He was commissioned second lieutenant on 14th November 1914 and became the battalion adjutant. His wife Beatrice, from a prominent family of Dublin wine merchants, had taken their two young children to the Irish capital to escape the danger of Zeppelin raids. They were in Blackrock waving flags on the pavement when Dietrichsen and the Sherwood Foresters marched through on April 26th 1916. 'His fellow officers saw him drop out of the column and fling his arms around the children. It was a joyful scene with no hint of the tragedy to come', wrote Max Caulfield in 'The Easter Rebellion' (p.221). Dietrichsen was amongst those killed in the battle of Mount Street Bridge a few hours later. According to Paul O'Brien in 'Blood on the Streets', as 'C' Company (of 2/7th SF) 'reached the junction of Northumberland Road and Haddington Road they came under intense fire from Lieutenant Malone's position at 25 Northumberland Road. The first volley of shots claimed four British soldiers, among them Captain Dietrichsen' (p.43). See also 'A Terrible Beauty' (2013, director Keith Farrell) an Irish film covering the Mount Street Bridge events.He was buried at Dean's Grange Cemetery Monkstown Ireland.

Tributes were paid at the next Nottingham Quarter Sessions held on 12th May 1916. It was reported the same day in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “CAPTAIN DIETRICHSEN DEATH. “TRIBUTES AT NOTTINGHAM SESSIONS. “FROM BENCH AND BAR. “Impressive reference to the losses sustained by the Robin Hoods in the Irish rising, and more specially to the death of Captain Dietrichsen, was made by the Recorder, Sir Ryland Adkins, M.P., at the Nottingham Quarter Sessions to-day [12th May 1916].“Events of grave importance had taken place, said Sir Ryland, in which a part most prominent, and not without its tragedy, had been borne by the great regiment so largely drawn from the city. In Ireland a revolt had broken out organised and led by a handful of traitors, misguided or malignant, and helped by enemy gold, in which many hundreds of deluded dupes been led to their doom and destruction. In that outbreak great and lasting injury had been wrought to one of the fairest cities of the empire, and the death of many innocent people brought about, as well as the casualties to soldiers of the Crown. “Some of the most prominent citizens of Nottingham had been visited with sorrow and grief through the number of those who had their lives in suppressing the revolt, and with these he expressed deep sympathy. “Speaking particularly of the death of Capt. Dietrichsen, the Recorder observed that for years past at every Sessions the gallant officer, in his capacity as a member of the Bar, had been present. By his care, skill, and courtesy he endeared himself to all who knew him, and those who belonged to the same profession felt a pang of losing a real, true friend. He had left those he loved to serve his country when she needed his services, and in Dublin had met his death on the field of honour. “The words of the great poet of Nottingham, applied in their origin to lives apparently prematurely ended, were applicable fittingly and absolutely:“We live in deeds, not years.“In thoughts, not breaths; “In feelings, not in figures on a dial. “We should count time by heart throbs. “He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts of the past. [2]“Dr. T. Lindley, on behalf of the Bar, associated himself with Sir Ryland's expression, recalling that Capt. Dietrichsen was one of the first members of the Bar on the outbreak war to give up his profession to join the Robin Hoods as a lieutenant. By his diligence, ability and tact he ultimately got his company, which he had held but a few months when he met his death. His was a charming personality; he was a sound lawyer, and, above all, of strict integrity. Nobly had he lived, and nobly he died. “On behalf of the Grand Jury. Mr. C. S. Wright also spoke sympathetically of the loss of the relatives of those who fell during the rebellion, bearing personal tribute to Capt. Dietrichsen's noble qualities.” Evening Post articles courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.