The Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial was unveiled on the 14th October, 1922 by Sir Hugh and Lady Bell.
Photographs and details courtesy of Martin Dunnill.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial was unveiled on the 14th October, 1922 by Sir Hugh and Lady Bell.
Photographs and details courtesy of Martin Dunnill.
Picture Stockton Archive 
Two of the names on this memorial are men who died whilst serving with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Able Seaman Francis Joseph Gormley died 18 September 1942. Age 23. He was the son of Francis and Ann Gormley. In 1939 he was living with his parents at 55 Bell Street, Port Clarence. Francis served on the Royal Navy submarine HMS Talisman. On 10 September 1942 HMS Talisman left Gibraltar with stores bound for Malta she was expected to arrive on 18 September 1942 but failed to reach Malta. It is presumed she was sunk by Italian mines off Sicily on the 17th September. There were no survivors. He is also commemorated on the Plymouth War Memorial.
Able Seaman Gerald Fenton Cogan died 12 December 1942. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Cogan. In 1939 he was working in Wales his parents were living at 19 Laburnum Grove, Port Clarence. On 12 December 1942 Gerald was serving on the cargo ship S.S. Avonwood. The ship was lying with a convoy off Lowestoft when she was torpedoed and sunk by a German E-Boat. 13 men were killed. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. S.S. Avonwood was owned by the Constantine Shipping Company Ltd, Middlesbrough.
Both of these men worked for Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd and are commemorated on the ICI Cenotaph, Billingham.
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Among those commemorated on this memorial, who died during the Second World War, is a E Vallely. The closest person I can find is a Edward Vallely who lived in Billingham at the outbreak of the war.
Pilot Officer Edward Vallely, RAFVR, served with 198 squadron (2nd Tactical Air Force) based at Thorney Island, Hampshire. On the 24th May 1944 he was the pilot of a Typhoon IB (serial no. MN527) attacking a radar station at Jobourge, France. The radar site was heavily defended and Vallely’s was one of two Typhoons from 198 squadron shot down by flak during the attack.. He was 22 years old and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France. In 1939 he was a chemical process worker living with his parents, John A and Alice M Vallely, at 72 Stokesley Crescent, Billingham. He is also commemorated on the ICI Cenotaph, Billingham.
Although he lived in Billingham at the outset of war I believe he must have moved to Haverton Hill prior to his death. His name is not in the Roll Of Honour Book for Billingham.
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Another sailor from this district who lost his life during World war Two is Able Seaman Albert Meek. He does not appear on the Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial. In 1939 he was living with his mother at 49 Rodney Street, Haverton Hill. He died 8 June 1940. Age 21 years.
Albert served with the Royal Navy aboard the destroyer HMS Acasta. On 8 June 1940 the destroyers HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent were escorting the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious to Scapa Flow, Scotland. En route they were attacked by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. HMS Glorious came under gunfire and the Acasta remained with her to lay a smoke screen. HMS Ardent was hit and sank at 17.25. HMS Glorious sank at 18.10, The Acasta attacked Schanhorst and launched four torpedoes one of which hit the German battleship causing severe damage. The Acasta came under repeated gunfire and was reduced to a burning wreck The captain ordered his crew to abandon ship, she sank at 18.20. Subsequent events would turn this disaster into a tragedy.
All ship encountering the enemy were ordered to broadcast a report of the sighting. No report was received by a shore-station. The first the Royal Navy knew of the sinking was when it was broadcast on German radio. It was three days later that two Norwegian merchant ships bound for the Faroe Islands crossed the scene. They rescued 40 survivors. It was estimated that 900 men had abandoned the Glorious. Most of the sailors died from exposure. The total deaths from the three ships was 1,207 from HMS Glorious, 160 from HMS Acasta and 152 from HMS Ardent. Albert Meek was among these. His family unaware of his fate placed an appeal in a local newspaper for information stating he was possibly a POW. The disaster led to a debate in the House of Commons.
In the 1970’s information on the codebreakers at Bletchley Park was made public. Bletchley Park personnel revealed they had told the Royal Navy about the breakout of the German battleships but the Navy refused to believe the information partly because those working at Bletchley Park were mainly civilians.
Albert Meek is commemorated on the ICI Memorial in Billingham.
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Some of those named on the Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial lost their lives whilst serving with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Pilot officer John Albert Harrison, RAFVR (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve), served with103 Squadron based at Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire. On the night of 13th July 1944 he was piloting a Lancaster II (serial no. PA999) during a raid on the Revigny rail yard, France. His aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter near Veel, France. He was 22 years old and is buried in the Veel Churchyard. In 1939 John was a lab assistant at ICI chemical works living with his parents Archer Thomas Harrison and Charlotte Harrison at 14 Cowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill. He is also commemorated on the ICI Cenotaph, Billingham.
Flying Officer George Dixon, RAFVR, served with 298 Squadron based at Tarrant Rushton, Dorset. On 24th March 1945 he was a wireless operator in a Halifax AVII (NA311) taking part in Operation Varsity. His aircraft was towing a Hamilcar glider and was shot down by flak 7 miles south east of Bocholt, near Wesel, Germany shortly after releasing the glider. He was 24 years old and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. In 1939 he was living with his parents, George Edward and Frances Dixon at 5 Windsor Street, Haverton Hill.
Flight Sergeant Norman Haynes was lost on 18 April 1945 during a training flight in a Mosquito FB.VI (HP865) of 8 Operational Training Unit, Coastal Command, based at Haverford West, Pembroke. His aircraft suffered an engine failure and flew into the sea 10 miles off Ramsey Island, Pembroke. He was 22 years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial and the ICI Cenotaph, Billingham. In 1939 he was living with his parents, Robert and Lily Haynes at 4 Hawke Street, Haverton Hill.
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My aunty Kathleen Conlon is mentioned on the memorial. She died in the blitz in London and is commemorated as one of the civilian war dead.
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Hi Kath, I wondered if this lady is your aunt?
On 9 December 1940, a Mary Catherine Conlon died at Montford Place, London. She is commemorated among the civilian Second World War dead of Lambeth Metropolitan Borough. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records her father was Thomas Conlon of 344 Kennington Green.
On 12 December 1940 a death notice appeared in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette for a Mary Catherine Conlon who died suddenly in London. She was the daughter of Thomas & Margaret Conlon. The cortege was to leave 2 Crosby Terrace, Port Clarence on Saturday at 2 PM for Haverton Hill Cemetery.
The vague description “died suddenly” may be due to war time censorship.
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Can anyone tell me if there is a Robert Bollands on the war memorial? This person would of been my nannas brother who lived in Railway Terrace in Haverton Hill.
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56260083/robert-william-bolland
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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56260083/robert-william-bolland
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Google port Clarence war memorial and you get a picture of the names. Sorry I can’t forward it to you.
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Thank you for your reply it is much appreciated. I have since found out that the relative i was looking for is named on another memorial. I do wonder though who the person is who is named at haverton hill and could they also be a relative? Their name is A Bolland if anyone has any information i would love to hear from you.
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The Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial contains a number of misspelt surnames.
I believe the A Bollands who is listed on this memorial amongst the Great War dead is Private. 4/9491. Albert Bolland. Durham Light Infantry (2nd battalion). He was killed in action at Ypres, Belgium on 15 January 1915, Aged 34 years. He was the son of Mrs Whitley of 70 Cowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill.
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Another civilian commemorated on this memorial is Harry Woolley. He was killed on 7th September 1942 at 40 Cowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill. He was 53 and the husband of Lucy Woolley.
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This war memorial also contains the names of locals who died during the Second World War. Included are a number of civilians. Because of its vicinity to industry (particularly ICI) Haverton Hill was the subject of German air raids.
On the night of 7th/8th July 1942 German bombers destroyed or seriously damaged a quantity of houses surrounding ICI. Among these were 25 to 33 Cleveland Avenue. Four people would be Killed at no. 27. Amy Tennant, her two young sons John Derek Tennant (3 years old) & Frank Tennant (2 years old) and Amy’s sister, Margaret Shepherd.
They are all commemorated on the memorial.
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This family tragedy was even worse than I first thought. The house next door, 25 Cleveland Street, Haverton Hill, was the home of Amy Tennant’s parents, Frank & Mary Shepherd. This was also the usual address of Margaret Shepherd. Another family member living there was 16 year old Marjorie Shepherd, niece of the two sisters.
The bombing of 7/8th July 1942 must have caused substantial damage to this property as well. Marjorie was badly injured and taken to the Stockton & Thornaby Hospital. Sadly she died on 16 July 1942. Marjorie Shepherd is commemorated on the Port Clarence & Haverton Hill War memorial.
Although it doesn’t lessen the tragedy of five members of the same family being killed I would like to think that the German bomber crews did not intentionally bomb these houses. The properties were very close to the chemical works and the inaccuracy of bombing during the Second World War was sometimes measured in miles. Unfortunately both the British and Germans did target civilian areas at various periods of the war.
This weekend I have been Watching the remaining veterans of the war against Japan tell their stories. All of them expressed the sadness of losing comrades and friends. They all fought a war created by military leaders and politicians. I hope that when the last of the veterans passes away we will still remember the sacrifice of all these people.
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Two further women were killed at Haverton Hill in this raid of 7/8 July 1942. Florence King, age 28, died at 44 Belasis Avenue & Mary Cockburn, age 51, died at 46 Belasis Avenue. Both are commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial.
Despite these seven deaths the fatalities are surprisingly low. During the raids 49 houses in the district were totally demolished & 145 seriously damaged. Many were left homeless, being accommodated at Billingham North School.
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My mom’s family, Dowdle, lost their home on Belasis Ave. Luckily they were in the public air raid shelter. My grandad wouldn’t go to work until my nana agreed to go.
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Could you please let me know where this memorial is
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The memorial is situated on the main road which passes through Haverton Hill and Port Clarence.
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I lived in number 40 cleveland i can remember the house across the road all the lats hanging from the ceilings the plcture is still with me i was three years old so sad
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The husband of Amy Tennant, and father of Derek and Frank Tennant, John H Tennant, was on duty as a war reserve constable when there house was demolished during the bombing.
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Among the names recorded on the memorial for the Great war is P. Hanna. As yet I’ve not established a definite link to this person. A possible candidate is Patrick Hanna. Serjeant. 3/7087. Yorkshire Regiment (3rd battalion). There is some uncertainty because most of the names on the memorial either died during the war or immediately after. This Patrick Hanna died 25 March 1920.
Patrick Hanna was born in Port Clarence. He was one of nine children born to James & Alice Hanna. In 1911 he was living with his parents at 25 New cottages, Port Clarence. He was a labourer at the blast furnaces.
Patrick must have been an early volunteer or may have already been serving in the army as he disembarked in France With the Yorkshire Regiment (2nd battalion) in November 1914. I don’t have the full details of his war service but is remarkable that he survived the war. Patrick was wounded on three seperate occasions and also served during the war with the 6th & 9th battalions of the Yorkshire Regiment.
Like many surviving soldiers after the war he would have had to live with the consequences of the wounds he had received. It may have been these which led to his untimely death in 1920, age 28. He has a military grave in Saint John`s churchyard, Haverton Hill.
There is a john Hanna commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War memorial. This was patrick’s brother, John, who served with the Yorkshire Regiment (9th battalion). He was killed in action near Albert, France on 8 August 1916.
If anyone has another P. Hanna who they believe is the one named on the memorial I would be grateful to hear from them.
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Hello Martin,
Thankyou for your post.
I am Jeff Hanna, a great-nephew of Patrick and John Hanna. My father John (1919-1989) was the son of one of their brothers, James, and I assume was named after the John named in your post and on the memorial.
I have a tiny bit more information about Patrick and John, which I will post over the next few days.
Regards
Jeff Hanna
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Although hostilities in the Great War ceased at 11 A.M. on 11th November 1918 men would continue to die on active service. Thomas Shute died 12 December 1918. He is commemorated on this memorial and is buried in Charleroi Communal Cemetery, Belgium. The cemetery contains the bodies of 279 soldiers who died after the armistice. Right up to April 1919.
Thomas Shute was born at Middlesbrough in 1891. By 1911 he had married Mary Kelly from Haverton Hill and was living at Oak Street , Haverton Hill. He worked at Dorman & Long, Port Clarence. In 1912 they had a son, William. Thomas Shute must have volunteered early in the war as by July 1915 he was serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France. Thomas had another son, Thomas, in 1918. He may not have met this son.
In December 1918 Thomas Shute was a driver with the 93rd Brigade Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery.Through accident or illness he died in the 20th Casualty Clearing Station at Charleroi.
At the time of his death his parents, William & Mary Shute also lived at Haverton Hill (4 Cottage Street)
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There is a G Brooks listed among the men who died during the Great War, commemorated on this memorial. The closest candidate I have found is Corporal. 9216. George Brooks.
George Brooks was born at Spittlegate, near Lincoln in 1893. In 1911 he enlisted with the Lincolnshire regiment at Grantham. When the war broke out his regiment was serving in Bermuda. By November 1914 they had disembarked in France. George suffered a bout of illness and was wounded on two seperate occasions. He was shipped back to England for treatment each time but returned to the front once fit. At the beginning of April 1917 he joined the 6th battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.
The 6th Lincolnshire Regiment were part of the 11th Northern Division. As part of this division on 6 November 1918 they took part in what is now known as the Passage of the Grand Honelle. They were ordered to cross the Grand Honelle river in Belgium and capture the railway line at Bois D’ Angre. The Germans had set up defensive positions on the railway embankment. This led to heavy casualties from machine gun fire & bombing. George Brooks would be killed on 6 November 1918. Today he lies in Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery, France.
He left a widow, Margaret Brooks. In November 1918 she was living at North Wharf street, Port Clarence. She later lived at 19 Cowpen Street, Port Clarence. I haven’t been able to find out why the widow of a soldier from Lincolnshire was living at Port Clarence. As his next of kin it seems likely she would have put his name forward when the decision to erect a memorial was taken.
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There are two entries on this memorial, which are included amongst those who died during the Great War, for the surname Waller. These are A. Waller & A.A. Waller.
A.A. Waller is Lance corporal. 193. Arthur Appleton Waller. Durham Light Infantry (18th battalion). Killed in Action 3 March 1917. The other I believe is Private. 76586. Alfred James Waller. Manchester Regiment (12th battalion). Died 20 October 1918.
Alfred James Waller was born 1898 in Welbury, Yorkshire. By 1911 he was living with his parents, Francis Robert & Mary Jane Waller, and siblings, at Saltholme near Cowpen Bewley. Francis Robert Waller was a farm labourer. Alfred James Waller is recorded as having died of sickness. He is buried in Rocquiny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery at Manacourt, France. This cemetery was used in October & November 1918 by the 3rd Canadian & British 18th Casualty Clearing Stations.
Francis Robert & Mary Jane later lived at Wilton Grange, Redcar. Private. 76586. Alfred James Waller. Manchester Regiment. Is listed in the weekly casualty lists (17 December 1918) as being from Haverton Hill.
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Just a correction on this information. It is Port Clarence that is the location given in the Weekly Casualty List not Haverton Hill.
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Gunner George William Wood Served with the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War. He enlisted in September 1914 but was held in reserve until October 1915 when he was sent to France with the 50th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. By May 1918 he had been posted to the 87th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. The 87th Brigade were part of the 19th Army Division. In October 1918 they were in positions East of Cambrai, France. They participated in the Battle Of The Selle (17-25 October). On 30 October 1918 they were near the village of St Martin, France. German artillery was active in this area. George William Wood was Killed on this day. Most probably as a result of a German shell. He is buried in Bermerain Communal Cemetery.
George William wood was born at Wolviston in 1895. By 1901 he was living with his parents, William & Lily Wood at Belasis, Billingham. Lily died in 1901. Georges Father remarried in 1905 to Ann (Metcalfe?). By 1911 the family were living at Pearl Street, Haverton Hill. George worked at the nearby Casebourne Cement works. On enlistment he gave his profession as crane driver.
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Gunner Frank Oakes is commemorated on this memorial. He served with the Royal Field Artillery (1st Brigade). In October 1918 they were part of the British forces at Salonika in Greece. Frank died on 25 October 1918. There were few battles during the conflict here and diseases like malaria were rife. It is probable that Frank died of disease. He is buried in Mikra British cemetery, Kalmaria, Greece.
Frank Oakes was born in 1890 at either Winsford or Over in Cheshire. His parents, Reuben & Margaret Oakes moved to Haverton Hill some time after 1903 to find work in the salt industry. In 1911 they were living at Ash Street, Haverton Hill. I’m not sure if Frank lived in Haverton Hill (he enlisted at Thornaby). His next of kin is recorded as his mother, Margaret A Hallmark. Margaret Oakes remarried in 1916 to a Felix Hallmark.
Frank’s brother, Charles Oakes, is also listed on this memorial. he died in northern France on 11th April 1918.
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Frank Newby Helm was born in Haverton Hill in 1898. He lived with his parents, Charles & Janet Helm at Young street, Haverton Hill. He served in the Great War with the Yorkshire Regiment (9th battalion). In October 1918 his battalion took part in the Battle of the Selle (17-25 October 1918). He would be wounded East of Le Cateau, France and eventually died at the 20th Casualty Clearing station at Bohain. Today his body lies in Premont British Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated on this memorial.
During October 1918 the Yorkshire Regiment (9th battalion) suffered 66 killed, 371 wounded & 47 missing.
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Early on in the war it was realised that the wounds caused by modern artillery & machine guns would be fatal in a high number of cases unless medical treatment could be given on/or as close to the battlefield as possible. A chain of evacuation was devised which would take a wounded soldier from the battlefield to a permanent Base Hospital.
This started with the regimental stretcher bearers who, unarmed, followed the soldiers onto the battlefield. Their role was to stem blood loss with field dressings and give morphine where necessary. They would then carry the wounded, often under enemy fire to the Regimental Aid Post, which would be sited in a dugout metres behind the front line. Here the Regimental Medical Officer would assess the wounded, check dressings, give treatment to prevent shock, set fractures and attach a Field Medical Card to the soldiers uniform. The card would remain with the soldier for the rest of his journey, being added to as his treatment progressed. Stretcher bearers from the Field Ambulance would then move casualties to one of their Dressing Stations.
The Field Ambulance wasn’t an ambulance in the modern sense but was a medical unit of over 200 men, comprising doctors, medical officers, orderlies and a transport division of the Army Service Corps. Their job was to try and stabilise & monitor the wounded in preparation for more complex treatment at the Casualty Clearing Station.
Casualty Clearing Stations were mobile hospitals, which moved according the progress of the front line. Non urgent casualties were provided with food and rest before being moved on to a Base Hospital. Those in urgent need of treatment had there uniform cut away and were washed and prepared for surgery.
Frank Newby Helm survived as far as this stage of his evacuation, reaching the 20th Casualty Clearing Station at Bohain. There is no way of knowing what injuries he had suffered. Many patients were to ill to face surgery and were admitted to a resuscitation ward where they were warmed infused or transfused. Others beyond help were placed in the moribund ward awaiting death. Here nurses would see to the wishes of those still conscious, writing final letters to loved ones.
Despite the courageous help of all those involved Frank Newby Helm died on 25 October 1918. Hopefully he was able to get a final message to his loved ones.
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Able Seaman Ernest Robson Smith is commemorated on this memorial. He was born at West Hartlepool and was the son of Charles Edward & Mary Smith. He enlisted in the Royal Navy prior to the First World War. In 1911 he was serving on the battleship HMS Victorious. By October 1918 he was serving on the submarine K.10, which was based at Scapa Flow in Scotland as part of the 3rd submarine flotilla. It was here on 23 October 1918 that he was tragically drowned. His body was buried in Seafield Cemetery, Leith, Scotland. At this time his mother Mary was living at Clarence Street, Haverton Hill.
Some records link him to HMS Crescent. This was a depot ship at Scapa Flow. I don`t know the circumstances of his death, it may have happened when boarding HMS Crescent. Ernest Robson Smith was five days short of his 26th birthday.
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Private Matthew Connolly (Connelly) is commemorated on this memorial. He was born in Port Clarence in 1896. Matthew lived at Cowpen Street, Port Clarence with his parents, John & Catherine Connolly. He served with the Yorkshire Regiment (4th battalion) during the Great War. Matthew died on 22nd September 1918 whilst a German prisoner of war.
In March 1918 the Germans had launched an offensive on the Somme aimed at splitting the British and French armies. Their goal was to win the war before American reinforcements arrived. The Germans advanced rapidly capturing many British soldiers. The Yorkshire Regiment (4th battalion) fought near Peronne as part of the 150th Brigade with the British 50th Division. During the month of March 1918 one hundred and sixty eight men of the 4th Yorks were listed as missing. Matthew Connolly was one of these.
Following his death he was buried in a German cemetery. In 1923 his body was removed to the Sedan-Tourcy French National cemetery. The cemetery contains 747 French graves and the graves of 36 Commonwealth soldiers from World War One.
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Private James Sankey is commemorated on this memorial. He served with the East Yorkshire Regiment (11th battalion). On 8 September 1918, as part of the 92nd Infantry Brigade, they launched an attack on German positions by the River Warnave, south of Ploegsteert, Belgium. The regiment suffered heavy casualties. Among those killed was James Sankey. He was 18 years old and is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France.
James was born in Haverton Hill. The youngest of nine children born to James & Sarah Sankey . His parents were originally from Droitwich, Worcestershire. Sarah Sankey died in 1901. By 1911 the family were living at 25 Oak Street, Haverton Hill. In 1914 James’s father also died. The register of soldiers effects records his brothers, John & George, and sisters, Charlotte Harrison, Sarah Aldsworth & Margaret Sankey as his next of kin.
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Joseph Thomas Monaghan was born in Port Clarence in 1893. Prior to the Great War he lived with his parents, Joseph and Mary Monaghan at Saltholme Terrace, Port Clarence Terrace. He was employed as a moulder at an iron foundry. On 3 September 1914 he enlisted in the army serving with the Royal Engineers (80th Field company). His company were part of the 18th Division and embarked in France in July 1915. By June 1918 they were in front line positions on the Somme, near the town of Albert. Among the many tasks they performed was making barbed wire concentrations. On 20 June 1918 Joseph was killed in action, most probably by shell fire.
His name is on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial. His body was laid to rest in the Contay British Cemetery, France.
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Thomas Nichols Archer served with the Yorkshire Regiment (12th battalion) during the Great war. This battalion was known as the Teesside Pioneers. He disembarked with the regiment, in France, in August 1915. The battalion served on the Western front until 5 May 1918, when it was broken up and its soldiers sent to the base depot at Calais.
Thomas Nichols Archer died in France on 17 June 1918. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial. I`m uncertain of his cause of death as his battalion were at a base depot. The battalion had many wounded prior to being broken up and Etaples, which is south of Calais, had a large hospital. He may have been wounded in action.
Thomas was 38 when he died. Born in Middlesbrough, by 1911 he was living with his parents, John Jones Archer & Harriet Ann Archer at Clarence Street, Haverton Hill. Prior to the war Thomas was a bricklayer at the salt works.
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Among those, who died during the Great War, listed on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial, is W Fleet. I can`t confirm the person 100% but a likely individual, is Private. 22696. Walter Fleet, who served with the Yorkshire Regiment (4th battalion). Today marks the centenary of his death in action.
Walter was born in Greatham in 1890. His parents, Richard & Hannah Fleet, had moved from Cheshire to work in the salt industry. After living at Greatham, by 1901 the family were living at Pearl street, Haverton Hill. The difficulty in linking Walter Fleet definitely to this memorial is that the family had a number of addresses over time. By 1911 Richard & Hannah Fleet had moved back to Greatham. Walter had left the family home and in 1914 married an Ada Walker in Teesdale. His address when he joined up was in Barnard Castle. I do not have an address linking them to Haverton Hill for the time when names would have been put forward for the memorial.
Walter Fleet would be killed in action on 27 May 1918, during the first day of the Third Battle of Aisne. The German army had launched an assault on the British and French armies. The Yorkshire Regiment (4th battalion) were in front line trenches near the village of Craonne, North East of Soissons, France, when they were over run by the Germans. 87 men of the battalion were killed on this day. Among them was Walter Fleet. He has no known grave and along with over 50 other missing men of the battalion, killed on 27 May 1918, is listed on the Soissons War Memorial.
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Joseph Duncan was born and raised in Middlesbrough. In 1901 he married Jenny Howson. By 1911 they were living with their five children at Cowpen Road, Haverton Hill. Joseph was an Engineer in the Iron works. In April 1916 he joined the Royal Navy as an engine room articifer. He served on the armoured cruiser HMS Antrim, during 1917, and after time being shore based, joined the Royal Navy sloop HMS Rhododendron in February 1918.
Rhododendron was a Q ship. These ships outwardly looked like merchant ships but carried hidden armament. In the times of unrestricted submarine warfare there role was to entrap and destroy German submarines. Unfortunately on 5 May 1918 it would be HMS Rhododendron which would become the victim.
Whilst on patrol North of the Orkney Isles she was torpedoed by the German U- boat U-70. Four of her crew were killed in this initial explosion. The sloop was designed to take a lot of damage before sinking and the usual plan was for a panic party to be sent out from the ship in an attempt to fool the submarine into surfacing to finish off the victim with its deck gun. The sloop would then reveal their gun and engage the submarine. However the commander of HMS Rhododendron decided to abandon the ship. The Germans fired several shells into the sloop and she eventually sunk. A further eleven sailors drowned. Joseph Duncan was among the fifteen victims of this action. He was 37 years old.
Joseph Duncan is commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial and the Chatham Naval Memorial.
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The name of John Fox. Private. 13065. Durham light infantry (2nd battalion), killed in action 30 May 1918, is inscribed on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial.
John Fox had enlisted on 28 August 1914 at Middlesbrough. At this time he was a blast furnace labourer living at Cowpen street, Port Clarence. He was born in Port Clarence in 1891 to Frank & Rose Fox. John landed in France with his regiment in January 1915. At the end of December 1915 he was attached for duty at Bell Brothers Clarence Iron works, Middlesbrough. This was probably due to the fact that such high numbers of men had volunteered for military service when the war broke out that it left a shortage of workers in many industries. In 1917 john Fox married Margaret Collins and in the same year they had a child, Francis. John was recalled to his regiment in 1918 and was posted to France at the end of March 1918.
The Durham Light Infantry (2nd battalion) had suffered heavy casualties at Morchies, France on 21 March 1918. 28 officers & 571 other ranks were killed, captured or wounded. John was part of a new draft of men to the battalion. On 30 May 1918 the battalion was West of Poperinghe, Belgium. They were subjected to heavy shell & a gas bombardment. John Fox would be killed during this. He is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery.
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John Fox was killed in action with the Durham Light Infantry (2nd battalion), West of Poperinghe, on 30 April 1918. Not May. Apologies for the error.
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This John Fox was my mother’s uncle and my Grt Uncle. My Grandmother Margaret Fox (Keenan) was his sister.
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Gunner 96113 James William Bradburn served with the Royal Field Artillery (51st Brigade). He was killed in action on 25 April 1918 at Dickebusch, Belgium. His name and that of his brother, Peter Bradburn are commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial.
James William Bradburn was born in Haverton Hill, circa 1895, to Peter & Mary Alice Bradburn. His parents had moved from Cheshire to Haverton Hill around 1892 to work in the salt industry. In 1911 the family were living at 37 Victoria Terrace, Port Clarence. James William was working in an iron foundry. He was an early volunteer in the war. Disembarking in France with his regiment on 12 May 1915. In April 1918 the R.F.A. 51st brigade were covering the 26th & 64th Infantry Brigades at Dickebusch, South West of Ypres, Belgium. Upon his death James Williams effects were past on to his brother Joseph Bradburn. There mother Mary Alice had died in 1906 and there father Peter in 1912. James William is buried in Voormezeele, Enclosure No.3 Cemetery.
Peter Bradburn was killed in action on 29 September 1915 whilst serving with the Grenadier Guards.
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Peter Bradburn was born in Winsford, Cheshire circa 1887. Prior to joining up he worked as a hairdresser. He served with the Grenadier Guards (1st battalion), embarking in France in March 1915. On 29 September 1915 the 1st battalion were at Loos. They had taken part in the Battle of Loos, as part of the 3rd Guards Division. Peter would lose his life and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
His brother, Joseph Bradburn, who was living at Ash Street, Haverton Hill was given as his next of kin.
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Among those commemorated on this memorial who died during the Great War are twin brothers Joseph & Stephen Tulip.
They were born in Port Clarence in 1881 to William & Margaret Tulip. William was a weigh man at the iron works. They lived at 22 New Cottages, Port Clarence. In 1900 Joseph and Stephen enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry, perhaps to serve in the Boer War. They were together at Tournay barracks, Farnborough on the 1901 census. Joseph would remain in the army and by 1911 was with the 1st Durham Light Infantry in India. Stephen left at some stage and may have suffered an illness or accident as in 1911 he was a patient in the Ropner Convalescent Home at Middleton St George. When the Great war broke out both would see service on the Western Front.
Stephen was a private in the East Yorkshire Regiment (1st battalion). He disembarked with the Regiment in France on 28 April 1915. By June 1916 they were in front line trenches at Ville. Stephen would be killed on 4 June 1916 during a German artillery bombardment.
The 1st Durham Light infantry remained in India during the war but Joseph Tulip, by now a sergeant, must have requested to be posted to France. He would disembark with the 2nd Durham Light Infantry on 24 August 1915. In 1916 a specialist corps, the Machine Gun corps, was formed. Joseph transferred to the corps. By 1918 he was serving with the Machine Gun Corps in Palestine. On 22 April 1918 he died in Nasrieh Schools Military Hospital in Cairo, Egypt.
The brothers are now buried on seperate continents. Stephen lies in Norfolk Cemetery, Bercordel-Bercourt and Joseph lies in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. By the time of their sons deaths William & Margaret Tulip were living at Temperance Street, Haverton Hill. Sadly neither of them would live to see the monument. William & Margaret died within months of each other in 1921.
On the register of soldiers effects Stephen gave his next of kin as Isabella Scotchbrook. This was their sister Isabella who had married a George Scotchbrook. In 1911 they were living with Georges parents in Temperance Street, Haverton Hill. Isabella Scotchbrook died in 1963.
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Sergeant Charles Oakes served with Yorkshire Regiment (12th battalion), known as the Teesside Pioneers. During the Lys offensive (7-29 April 1918) a number of companies of the 12th battalion were ordered to take up arms against the attacking Germans near Bac St Maor, Northern France. Charles Oakes was wounded and subsequently died on 11th April 1918. He is buried in La Kreule Military cemetery, Hazebrouck. The cemetery was originally set up by the 1st & 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations.
Charles was born in 1894 in Winsford, Cheshire. His mother Margaret Ann was originally from Port Clarence or Haverton Hill. In 1888 she married Reuben Oakes they had twelve children in Winsford before moving to this area some time after 1903 to work in the salt industry. In 1911 the family were living at 40 Ash Street, Haverton Hill. In 1916 Margaret Ann Oakes remarried to a Felix Hallmark. In the register of soldiers effects Margaret A Hallmark was listed as Charles` next of kin and mother.
Charles is commemorated on the Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial and the Middlesbrough war Memorial. As is his brother Frank Oakes, who was to be killed in action on 25th October 1918.
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Private Joseph Maddock was killed in action during operation Michael. He served with the East Yorkshire Regiment ( 7th battalion). on 31 March 1918 the battalion was in the front line near Selnis, in the southern sector of operation Michael. At 5.30 A.M they were ordered to attack German positions.They achieved there objective but were forced to fall back. Joseph Maddock would be killed and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial and the Arras War memorial.Between the 21st & 31st march 1918 the East Yorks. (7th battalion) casualties were 19 officers and 400 other ranks.
Joseph Maddock was born in 1895 in Haverton Hill. His parents, Adam & Mary Maddock, had moved to Haverton Hill from Cheshire in 1890 to work in the salt industry. They originally lived in Ash street, Haverton Hill before moving to Saltholme Terrace, Port Clarence. Joseph worked in the steel works in 1911. In 1915 he married Elizabeth Mohan, in Middlesbrough. They had a daughter, Florence, in 1916. His widows address was given as Horsfield Street, Middlesbrough.
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Private George Heatley was killed in action on 29 March 1918, during operation Michael. He served with the 18th Hussars. On 29 March his regiment was with American engineers in front line trenches near Villers Brettonneux. George Heatley had the misfortune to be the 18th Hussars` only fatality on this day.
George was born in 1895 in Haverton Hill. His mother and father, John & Elizabeth Heatley, had come from the North West of England to work in the salt industry. In 1911 they were living at 19 Victoria Terrace, Haverton Hill. George was a office clerk at the salt works. He has no known grave and is commemorated on this memorial & the Pozieres Memorial.
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Private James Mellon served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (9th battalion). On 22 March 1918 he was with his regiment at Guyencourt, at the southern end of the area covered by Operation Michael. When the Germans attacked the order was given for a fighting retreat. When the assembly point was reached only 16 officers and 160 other ranks of the battalion were present. James Mellon was killed on this day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
James was born in Port Clarence in 1894. His parents Neal & Margaret Mellon had come from Tyrone, Ireland prior to 1878. At the time of James`s enlistment they were living at 14 (or 15) Marton Street, Port Clarence. Neal died at some time between 1901 & 1911 and Margaret died in 1921. James had siblings who probably put his name forward for inclusion on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence Memorial. Hugh Mellon, James`s older brother also served during the war, signing up in September 1914 with the Royal Field Artillery. he would survive the war.
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In March 1918, boosted by an influx of troops from the Eastern front, the German army launched its spring offensive. The aim was to win the war before American troops could reach the Western front in significant numbers. The offensive began on 21 March 1918 with an attack known as Operation Michael (21 March – 5 April 1918). The plan was to split the British and french armies on the Somme. The Germans hoped this would force the British to retreat to the Channel ports and the French to retreat to Paris.
At 4.40 A.M. German artillery began the biggest barrage of the war. In five hours over 3,500,000 shells were fired against the British forward and reserve positions along a 40 mile front.Winston Churchill, the then Minister of Munitions, was at Nurlu and gave a first hand account. ” It swept round us in a wide curve of red leaping flame stretching to the North far along the front of the Third army, as well as of the Fifth army on the south, and quite unending in either direction…the enormous explosions of the shells on our trenches seemed almost to touch each other, with hardly a interval in space or time”. This was followed by a German infantry assault using shock troops armed with machine guns and flamethrowers. Aided by fog and the breakdown in communications between the British front line and their headquarters the Germans made rapid advances.The British were forced into a fighting retreat, with small groups of soldiers standing their ground to enable the majority to reach defensive positions. Two men from Haverton Hill were killed on this first day.
Private Arthur Batey served with the Staffordshire Regiment (2nd/6th battalion). The battalion was at Bullecourt on the north of the offensive. The Germans outflanked the Staffordshires and captured their H.Q. When the remanants of the battalion managed to regroup 23 officers and 600 other ranks were missing. Arthur Batey would be among the dead. Unlike many others his body would receive a burial. He now lies in the Honourable artillery company Cemetery at Ecoust-St.Main.
Arthur was born in Selby, Yorkshire. At some point between 1904 & 1911 his parents Walter & Annie Batey moved to Haverton Hill, where Walter worked at the salt works. In 1911 they were living at Manhood Place. By the time of Arthur`s death they were at 31 Oak Street. Arthur`s older, Wilfred Batey is also commemorated on this memorial. He had been killed in action on 7 June 1917.
Rifleman Herbert Wood served with the Rifle Brigade (8th battalion) On 21 March 1918 they were in reserve trenches at Clastres, to the south of the offensive. The battalion was ordered to retreat to the canal bank at Jussy. `D` company fought a rearguard action to cover retirement of the battalion. Casualties of the battalion between 21 May and 31 May 1918 were 16 officers and 354 other ranks. Herbert Wood was among those killed. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
Herbert was born in Ingelby Barwick. By 1901 his parents William & Lily wood were living at Belasis, Billingham. Lily died in 1901. William wood remarried and by 1911 the family were living at 12 Pearl Street, Haverton Hill. Herbert`s older brother George William Wood is also commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence Memorial. He was killed in action on 30 October 1918.
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Private Bertram Redhead is named on this memorial. He served with the 9th battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He died 5 December 1917, aged 25, and is buried in Saint Patricks Cemetery, Loos, France.
He was the son of Edward & Martha Redhead who lived at 13 Windsor Street, Haverton Hill.
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Bertram Redhead was one of 400 men who were absorbed into the 9th battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment in November 1917, having formerly served with the Yorkshire Hussars.
The Yorkshire hussars was a territorial cavalry regiment formed for home defence. It`s headquarters was in York and in 1914 it had a squadron at Middlesbrough. On the outbreak of war many of it`s members volunteered for foreign service. They were formed as the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars and would be present at the battle of Arras in May 1916.
During August 1917 the regiment was dismounted and retrained, at Etaples, as infantry. In November 1917 they reinforced the depleted 9th battalion, which was re-titled the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) battalion.
By December 1917 the battalion was occupying front line trenches in the Loos sector. No major battles took place during this period but patrols into no mans land were a regular feature. It is perhaps during one of these that, on the 5 December, Bertram Redhead received his fatal wound.
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The First Battle of Cambrai took place between 20 November – 7 December 1917. It marked the first large scale use of the tank. The British assembled 476 tanks for the battle. These combined with new artillery tactics finally broke the stalemate of trench warfare. At there furthest gain the allies had advanced 5 miles into German territory. Unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on their gains and on 30 November to the South of Cambrai the Germans mounted a counter offensive.
At this time Private John Edward Gibbon, who is named on this memorial, was Serving with the Loyal North Lancashire regiment (1/5th battalion). The 1/5th Loyals were part of the British 55th Division, who were occupying the line to the South of Cambrai. On the morning of 30 November the 1/5th suffered heavy casualties in a stand against the Germans at Villers-Guislain. Eventually forced to withdraw the battalion roll call recorded 2 dead, 40 wounded and 402 missing (many of these would be dead). John Edward Gibbon would be among the dead. he has no known grave and is commemorated, with 7,064 British and South African soldiers who shared the same fate, on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval. The memorial holds the names of seven recipients of the Victoria Cross.
John was born in Haverton Hill. I`m not sure when he enlisted, but in 1915 he had married a Edith Eleanor knight. I believe there short marriage produced a daughter, Elsie, born in 1915. His widows address is given as Bridge Street, Haverton Hill.
During it`s service on the Western Front with the 55th Division, the 1/5th Loyals suffered 30 officers and 408 other ranks killed, 28 officers and 1,333 other ranks wounded. In February 1918 the remains of the the 1/5th were disbanded and merged with the 2/5th Loyals to form the 5th battalion Loyal North Lancashires.
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Percy Archer lived at 4 Railway Terrace, Haverton Hill, with his mother Esther Hughf. He served with the Royal Field Artillery gaining the rank of Sergeant. He died during the Third Battle of Ypres on 9 November 1917 and is buried in Track X Cemetery, North East of Ypres.
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Percy Archer was born in Stowe, Staffordshire circa 1893. His mother Esther was born in Haverton Hill. She was living here when she married Percy`s father, John Archer. John was a mineral boring foreman. There first child Edith was born circa 1888 in Haverton Hill. The family then moved out of the area, presumably due to John`s profession. In 1891 they were living in East Grinstead, East Sussex. By 1901 Esther was a widow and was living at 9 Clarence Street, Haverton Hill with her parents, George and Elizabeth Piercy.
Around 1908 Esther married John Hughf, who was an engine diver at the nearby saltworks. In 1911 the family were living at 4 Railway Terrace. Percy was a labourer at the ironworks.
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The In Memoriam section of the North Eastern Daily Gazette for 9 November 1918 had 5 notices for Sergeant Percy Archer, RFA, who fell in action at Passchendale, November 9th 1917.
They were from his aunt Meggie, also Edie, Gertrude, Robert & Jack; Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Tom & the boys; Aunt Sarah. But perhaps the most poignant one read- Ever remembered by his sincere friend Helen. They miss him most, who loved him best.
The Battles of Passchendaele were part of what became the Third Battle of Ypres.
Percy Archer was serving with the Royal Field Artillery (84th brigade) his battery were firing howitzers (British heavy artillery). Part of their roll was to try and destroy German defensive pill boxes. The heavy guns were usually situated behind the front lines but German counter artillery attacks meant there position was equally dangerous.
Track X Cemetery is situated in what was the “no mans land” between the British and German lines.
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Walter & Annie Batey, who lived at 31 Oak Street, Haverton Hill have two sons named on this memorial.
Wilfred Batey served as a private in the Durham Light Infantry (12th battalion). He was killed, age 21, on the first day of the Battle of Messines, on 7 June 1917. On this day the 12th battalion were ordered to attack the German Lines at a place known as Hill 60. For two years prior to the battle British, Canadian & Australian tunneling Companies had been mining towards the German lines at Messines Ridge. A series of deep mines were to be filled with explosives, underneath the German trenches, and set off before the attack. The completed mines eventually contained 447 tons of ammonal and gun cotton.
Prior to the attack there was a bombardment of the German positions by British artillery. Half an hour before dawn the artillery fire ceased. In the silence that followed troops said they heard a Nightingale sing. At 3.10 a.m., on 7 June 1917, the mines on the ridge were fired within the space of 20 seconds. The subsequent explosion is said to be the largest non-nuclear explosion of all time. The sound was heard in London and in Lille the university`s geology department mistook the shock wave for an earthquake. one of the mine blasts at Spanbroekmolen formed the “Lone Tree Crater” which was 250 feet wide and 40 ft deep. It is estimated 10,000 Germans died in the explosion.
Because of the devastation among the German lines the 12th battalion suffered light casualties. unfortunately Wilfred Batey was among these. He has no known grave and is among the missing named on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Walter & Annie would lose another son in 1918. Wilfrid`s younger brother, Arthur Batey.
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There is a M Kelly named among the fallen of the Great war on this memorial. I have been unable to find a definite person linked to the district. Many military records were destroyed during the Second World War.The website for the Yorkshire regiment “Green Howards” lists him as Private 241405 Michael Kelly.
Michael Kelly served with the Yorkshire regiment (5th battalion). He enlisted in Middlesbrough and died 30 October 1917. He is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium. Mendinghem is not an actual town or village in Belgium. It was a joke name, ( mending them), given to the nearby casualty clearing station. Michael must have been treat for wounds but did not survive. In the register of soldiers effects his next of kin is his mother Elizabeth.
Hopefully there may be an ancestor out there who can provide more information.
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Martin, just a word of congratulations on all of the research which you have undertaken into these fallen soldiers and their families. Your work transforms simple names and dates into real individuals who lived amongst our ancestors.
I am sure that their relatives will be very grateful for the time and effort which you have put into your research…… I know that I am.
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Thank you for your comment Cliff and may I return the compliment. As a regular reader of the Picture Stockton website I have viewed your numerous contributions and comments with great interest. My contributions are based on old records, but it`s the first hand histories of people like yourself and the regular contributors who have lived through the changes that Stockton has experienced that make the site so special. Thanks also to the staff at Stockton Library services for their dedication to the site.
I have researched the majority of the names from the Great War and hope to add further details of these men, at dates close to the centenary of their deaths, right up to 2018.
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May I very belatedly echo Cliff Thornton’s thanks, Martin? I’ve only just very recently discovered a whole swathe of (long-deceased) paternal-side relatives of whom I was completely unaware. And even more recently I’ve discovered this site, and your wonderful jewels of information. You manage, in very few words, to not only convey really important factual information but also paint lovely rich micro-portraits of the men and their families, very evocatively and very beautifully. Thankyou for honouring them all in this way.
My forebears were brothers John and Patrick Hanna (detailed down-thread), of 25 New Cottages, Port Clarence. They were brothers to my paternal grandfather James.
Power to your arm, Martin.
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Lance Corporal Peter Bennions is named on this memorial. He served in the Great War with the Durham Light Infantry (15th battalion). On 22 October 1917 the 15th battalion were fighting in the Third battle of Ypres at Zillebeke Bund. They were under heavy attack from German artillery fire, which included mustard gas..Peter Bennions would lose his life, aged 24, on 22nd October and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Peter was born in Haverton Hill. Prior to the war he lived with his father William, his mother Mary Ann, brothers William & John & sister Francess at 31 Ash Street, Haverton Hill. Peter and his father worked at the nearby salt works. In common with a lot of the inhabitants of Haverton Hill at this time Peters parents had moved from the West side of the country to find work. William had been born in Liverpool & Mary Ann was born in Winsford, Cheshire.
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Ralph Tyerman Served as a Rifleman with the Rifle brigade (7th battalion) in the Great War. His name is on the monument but the surname is misspelled Tyreman. In 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal, but I don`t have any info why. Sadly he was killed in action, during the Third Battle of Ypres, on 17 October 1917 , aged 19. There were no major actions on this day so he was probably killed by artillery fire or sniper. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Ralph was born in Stockton in 1898 to Joseph and Emily Tyerman. By 1901 he was living in Manchester, where his father ran a pub. In 1911 he had returned to Teesside and was living with his Grandparents Samuel & Ann Clough at 3 King Edward Street, Haverton Hill. Ann Clough was registered as his next of kin when the Army released his “effects” (personal possessions & pay that was owed) after his death.
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Corporal Olous Edward Daniel is named on the memorial. He was killed during the Third battle of Ypres, on 16 October 1917. His parents Oscar & Mary Daniel lived at 4 Victoria Street, Haverton Hill. He was serving with the Yorkshire regiment (9th battalion). There were no major actions on this day so he was probably the victim of artillery shells or sniper fire. Olous Daniel has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
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Albert Cattermole lived at 39 Elm Street Haverton Hill with his parents Geater J Cattermole & Elizabeth Cattermole. He enlisted early in the war, serving as a Bombardier with the Royal Field Artillery. He died 12 October 1917, age 23, whilst fighting on the Macedonian front. He is commemorated on this memorial and is buried in the Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.
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James Albert Cattermole was born in Haverton Hill in 1894. He was one of the early volunteers during the war, disembarking with the Royal Field Artillery in France in May 1915. His brigade joined the 26th Division in July 1916 and was posted to Salonika. He died on 12 October 1917 at the 28th Casualty Clearing Station, Karasouli.
He was serving with the 79th Small Arms Ammunition Column, attached to the 79th Infantry Brigade. The job of the Small Arms Ammunition Column was to supply the front line troops with ammunition. They also had to recover the unused ammunition from the battlefield. This could be a hazardous task, but the casualty rate from illness at Salonika was far higher than those caused in action. Mainly due to malaria. Albert Cattermole could possibly have died from illness.
The British and French had established a garrison at Salonika in October 1915 to assist the Serbian army against the Bulgarians. There were few battles in the campaign and most soldiers here peacefully sat out the war. This led to soldiers on the Western front referring to the British soldiers at Salonika as ” Gardeners”.
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John & Hannah Keenan of 1 Queens terrace, Port Clarence lost two sons during the Great war. Both of whom are commemorated on this memorial. Richard Keenan was killed on 25 September 1915 whilst serving with the Durham Light infantry (15th battalion). His brother Francis Keenan died on 23 August 1917. Francis served with the Durham Light infantry (10th battalion).
On 23 August 1917 the Tenth were participating in the Third Battle of Ypres, close to the village of Zillebeke, south East of the city of Ypres. During attacks on the Germans they came under intense artillery fire from both German and British artillery. One platoon of 30 men of the 10th battalion suffered 24 killed by their own artillery. The Germans subsequently counter attacked using flame throwers and light machine guns. Early on August 25 1917 the Tenth were relieved and moved back to Zillebeke. Their losses during the battle had amounted to 14 officers and 355 other ranks out of a battalion strength of 20 and 608 at the beginning of the battle.
Francis Keenan has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the missing.The scale of devastation caused by artillery is shown by the graves contained in Tyne Cot Cemetery, which contains the memorial to the missing. Of the 11,965 burials in the cemetery 8,369 are unnamed. Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing contains the name of 33,787 men of the United kingdom and 1,176 New Zealanders. With no recognised grave war memorials in this country would have been the only place many relatives would have been able to visit and pay their respects.
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There was another memorial to the Great war dead of Haverton Hill & Port Clarence.
In St John`s Church, Haverton Hill there was a lectern carved by a Mr W.G. Brown.The lectern was made of teak and was 7 feet 6 inches high with carved panels surmounted by an eagle. One of the panels contained the names of 82 men. Mr Brown was an employee of the North Eastern Railway Company working at Port Clarence. The lectern was the result of 470 hours of his work. A picture of Mr Brown and the lectern is featured on a fantastic website created by the North East War Memorials Project.
St John`s church was subsequently demolished. Does anyone know if this lectern has survived? It would be a tragedy if all Mr Browns work was also destroyed.
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W.G. Brown was William Gilleard Brown, who in 1911 was a traffic foreman for the North Eastern Railway Company, living at 7 Railway Cottages, Port Clarence. He also erected a plaque, in the form of a shield, in St John`s church, dedicated to his friend Arthur Waller.
Arthur Appleton Waller served with the Durham light infantry and was killed in action on 3rd March 1917. His parents John & Sarah Waller lived at 23 Clarence Street, Haverton Hill.
William Gilleard Brown was originally from Selby, where he worked for the railway company. He and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, had a number of children (Florence May, William John, James Ernest, Rhoda & Lawrence), most of whom were born in Selby.
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Rifleman Harold Fisher is commemorated on this memorial. He served with the Rifle Brigade and died 21 August 1917, aged just 19. His parents Frederick & Mary Jane Fisher lived at 17 Victoria Street, Haverton Hill. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord. Bailleul is a town in northern France on the Belgium border.
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Harold Fisher was born in West Bromwich. His father moved the family to Haverton Hill between 1907 & 1911. Frederick was an iron moulder, probably at Anderston`s Foundry at Port Clarence.
Harold served with the Rifle Brigade (13th battalion). Between 8th to 25th August 1917 the 13th battalion was in barracks at Locre, now Loker, South West of Ypres, Belgium. During this period they provided working parties for the front line. Harold Fisher died of wounds, most likely the result of German artillery, on 21 August 1917,
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There are a number of men who died during the Great war, and are linked to Haverton Hill & Port Clarence, who do not appear on this memorial. I understand that when war memorials were being erected it was often the case that names were only included if they were put forward by relatives of the deceased. A number of years may have passed between an individuals death and the erection of this memorial in 1922. This could mean that perhaps there was no living relative in the area to put forward a name. One such individual who does not appear on the memorial is John Richard Whitley.
Private John Richard Whitley served with the West Yorkshire Regiment (7th battalion). He died 17 November 1917 near to Ypres in Belgium. The Commonwealth war Graves Commission lists him as being the son of Emma Whitley of 71 Cowpen Road, Haverton Hill. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military cemetery, Belgium. It is possible that his mother had passed away before 1922.
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A Lance Corporal John Robinson was reported as having died, in the 22 August 1916 edition of The North Eastern Daily Gazette. This was as a result of wounds received in action on 3 March 1916. His parents were given as the late Henry Robinson & Elizabeth Robinson of Haverton Hill & Port Clarence. No regiment or service number was given. Which makes it problematic identifying this individual. There is no John Robinson commemorated on this memorial.
No John Robinson is listed on the Commonwealth War Graves database as dying 3 March 1916. At present the closest candidate, who died between the period 3 March to 22 August 1916, is a Lance Corporal 16986 J. Robinson, who served with the East Yorkshire Regiment (8th battalion). He died 6 March 1916 and is buried in Etaples Military cemetery.
The notice in the Gazette ends with remembered by his mother, sisters & brothers. I wonder why his name was not put forward for commemoration on the memorial. Perhaps all his family had moved. Or maybe their grief was too great. Some families declined to have their loved ones names on memorials because they were a constant reminder of the futility of the war.
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After a bit more research I have discovered Lance Corporal 16986 J. Robinson does have links with Haverton Hill & Port Clarence.
He was born John Robinson in 1880 at Marske, Yorkshire. By 1891 he and his parents, Henry & Elizabeth were living at 13 Ash Street, Haverton Hill. At the time of the 1901 census john was living with his widowed mother, brother David & sister Ella at 30 Clarence Street, Haverton Hill. In 1903 John married Lottie Raisbeck. By 1911 they had three daughters and were living with Lotties parents at West Lane, Middlesbrough. John worked in the nearby blast furnaces but on the outbreak of war he must have been one of the early volunteers.
John`s mother and siblings also moved. By 1911 Elizabeth was living at 31 Victoria Terrace, Port Clarence along with her daughters, Eliza Baker, Ella Robinson & grandson Henry Robinson Baker. John`s brother David now lived with his wife & children at 41 New cottages, Port Clarence.
Elizabeth died prior to John`s death in 1916. Judgement shouldn’t be made on the grieving relatives, they thought enough to place a notice in the Gazette. Sadly it appears that John Robinson isn`t commemorated on the Middlesbrough War Memorial either.
In some parts of the country names of forgotten soldiers from the Great War are still being added to memorials. Fortunately Lance Corporal 16986 J. Robinson is not forgotten in the country where he died. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission tends all the graves of the fallen servicemen.
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James Devlin was born near Cookstown ,Northern Ireland. At some point prior to the war he emigrated to England and settled in Port Clarence. when war broke out, despite being in his late 30`s, he volunteered to serve with the Royal Navy. He was posted to the armoured cruiser HMS Hampshire as a stoker.
On 5 June 1916 the Hampshire was tasked with taking Lord Kitchener to Russia for negotiations. Beset by a fierce storm on leaving, the cruiser was alone passing the Orkney Isles when she struck a mine laid by a German submarine. The ship began to sink rapidly and as she launched her life rafts they were dashed against the ship by the heavy seas. Due to the weather most of the survivors who managed to get away in the life rafts died of exposure before they reached land. Only twelve crew out of over 650 men lived to see dry land. James Devlin was not among them. Neither was Lord Kitchener.
James` parents, John & Hannah, would have received a letter at their home in Northern Ireland informing them of their sons death. If anyone in Port Clarence was told of his loss I don`t know. James was 40. His named is inscribed on the Naval memorial at Chatham. When the memorial in Haverton Hill was commissioned and names were put forward James Devlin may have been forgotten by most. His name would not feature on the memorial.
Today thanks to research done in the town of his birth he is included on a website dedicated to the war dead of Cookstown and other towns in Northern Ireland.
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In 1901 James Devlin was living as a boarder with James O`Brien & family at Lowthian Terrace, High Clarence, Haverton Hill. He was working as a coke filler at the local blast furnaces and gave his age as 22. It would be his brother Mike who lived in Kildress Parish, County Tyrone who would receive the notification of his death.
Modern research puts the death toll of the “Hampshire” at 737 men. In the years that followed the sinking there were stories that rescuers had been prevented from assisting as part of a secret cover up. These have since been discounted.
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Private Albert Bolland served with the Durham Light infantry (2nd battalion) he was killed 15 January 1915. he is recorded as being the son of a Mrs Whitley of 70 Cowpen Bewley Road, Haverton Hill. He also had a wife, Elizabeth Ann Reece (formerly Bolland). His name is on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Could Albert Bolland & John Richard Whitley be the sons of the same Mrs Whitley? i imagine if she had been around at the time when the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence memorial was being proposed she would have wanted to have both sons named on it.
There is an A. BOLLANDS commemorated on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence war memorial. There is also a G. WHITLOW on the memorial, who I have been unable to identify (there is no G. WHITLOW on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database). Could these both be errors on the memorial? A. BOLLANDS (A. BOLLAND), G.WHITLOW (J.R. WHITLEY). There appear to be a Few other names with errors on the memorial.
Is there anyone out there who is an ancestor of these two men and could shed some light on the mystery?
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Hello , I have been looking at my grandparents history and my great grandparents Edward and Mary Bollands who lived at 12 Railway Terrace Haverton Hill and i have a memorial band with the details of : Pte. Robert William Bollands (200 DLI) dies 30/3/18 interred at Rueon cemetry. I cannot seem to find his name against any war grave . Could you help ?
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Hello Pauline. Your ancestor Robert William Bollands lies in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. The reason you have found him difficult to locate is down to a different spelling of his surname on his gravestone. If you go on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he will be listed as R W Bolland. Private. 22/200. Durham Light Infantry. He is also recorded in “Soldiers Who Died In The Great War” as R W Bolland. This error may stem from his army service records.
Robert William Bollands was born in Shildon, Durham. By 1911 he was living with his parents at 12 Railway Terrace, Haverton Hill. His father Edward was an engine driver for the North Eastern Railways. Robert enlisted at Darlington with the Durham light Infantry (22nd battalion). He is listed as having died of wounds on 31 March 1918. Age 28. He had married at some point and his widow remarried shortly after his death. Her address is given as Dora M Byrne (formerly Bolland) of 3 South Street, New Shildon.
I do not know if his parents were still alive when the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War memorial was announced. His name does not appear on this memorial. I believe he may be named on the war memorial at Shildon.
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Thank you so much for your reply amd sincere apologies thst it has taken so long for me to come back to you. I didn’t hold out with much hope but since reading your reply found it quite emotional. I thought i had checked the website but obviously not properly ! Please ignore my request as of today. I can now see that my relative is named on the Shildon war memorial. As soon as this covid is lifted i will be visiting st sever and Shildon.
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Pauline,
Try Bolland.This is from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website, he is also mentioned on the Middlesbrough War Memorial.
BOLLAND
Private
22/200
ROBERT WILLIAM
Sunday, March 31, 1918
Age 28
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
P. IX. G. 14A.
VIEW RECORD
Durham Light Infantry
United Kingdom
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Pauline,
A bit more info for you.
Robert William Bolland was born and lived in Shildon and enlisted in Darlington. With the 22nd battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, Private Bolland was wounded during the 1918 Somme battles and died of his injuries aged 28 on March 31st 1918. His grave today lies in St Sever Cemetery Extension at Rouen where many medical units were based. Robert Bolland was the son of Edward and Mary Bolland of Haverton Hill and the husband of Dora M Byrne, formerly Bolland of 3 South Street in Shildon.
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Pauline,
You can commemorate Robert at the “Everyone Remembered” Website. Here is the Link
http://www.everyoneremembered.org/profiles/soldier/516090/
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Arthur Hetherington was the assistant master at Haverton Hill council school from 1913 onward. In December 1915 he enlisted as a private but probably because of his education was eventually sent to officer cadet school in Bristol. By September 1917 he was awarded a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (9th battalion). He was killed in action on 22 March 1918, on the Somme, aged 30. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
He does not feature on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial. Arthur was born in Brampton, Cumbria. His family remained in Cumbria. His parents Samuel & Annie Hetherington had passed away by 1922. I don`t know if the school erected a memorial as it was subsequently demolished. Arthur had a brother and sister living in Carlisle and his name is commemorated on a board in the Brampton War memorial hospital. Sadly Arthur also had a fiance who he met in Bristol.
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Another ” Havertonian” not on the monument is Rifleman John James Ankers, who served in the Rifle brigade (10th battalion).
John james was born in Haverton Hill and prior to the Great War lived with His parents, Moses and Martha Ankers and siblings at 18 Oak Street, Haverton Hill.By 1915 he was working in a steel works and living at 16 Oak Street. In June 1915 John James enlisted at Middlesbrough Town Hall. He gave his age as 19 years 56 days. But previous entries on the census put his age at closer to 16 years old, and as such under age. Despite him being only 5 feet 6 inches and 118 pounds he fooled the recruiting officers and was accepted. After training he was posted to the Rifle Brigade.
On 14 August 1917 the Rifle Brigade (10th battalion) took part in an attack near the village of Pilckem, North of Ypres. The objective was to cross the Steenbeek river and occupy German territory. This was in preparation for the coming Battle Of Langemarck. The German defences included pillboxes. Heavy casualties were caused among the Rifle brigade by German machine guns and artillery. John James Ankers would be among the victims. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin gate) Memorial.
By 1917 his mother, Martha, and his siblings had moved to Garbutt Street, Middlesbrough. This is probably the main reason he does not feature on this memorial. Understandably his name is included among the dead on the Middlesbrough War Memorial which would have been closer to his family.
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Private 13652 John Stewart Gordon Highlanders (1st battalion) was born in Port Clarence. He died 14 June 1917, has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Arras memorial at Faubourg D`Amiens Cemetery, Arras. There is an F. Stewart listed on the Haverton Hill & Port Clarence War Memorial but I believe this may be an error.
In 1911, age 13, he was living with his parents, Alexander & Catherine Stewart at 4 Church street, Port Clarence. I`m not absolutely certain of the location of Church Street, but going by the census it appears it was next to Bell Brothers Clarence Iron works. Alexander Stewart worked at the iron works. There house, like many others in the street, was comprised of only two rooms. Including John`s siblings there were actually six people living in these two rooms. Maps from 1897 show streets in the iron works, which were for the workers, known as Clarence Old Cottages. Streets around this time were often renamed. Some of the properties appear to be back to back houses.
John had an older brother, Francis.Are there any ancestors who can clear up the mystery?
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Private John Henry Barker was living at 20 Ash street, Haverton Hill at the time of his death on 8 June 1917. He had initially joined up with the 81st Training battalion but on his disembarkation in France, in May 1917, had been posted to the York & Lancaster Regiment (9th battalion). On 27 May 1917 the York & Lancasters were in front line trenches near Ypres. They were under repeated artillery attack and John Henry Barker was badly wounded. He was taken to No.2 Canadian casualty clearing station, near Lijssenthoek, Belgium. Unfortunately he succumbed to his wounds. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Millitary Cemetery.
John Henry Barker was born in Billingham, to John & Annie Barker, around 1891. In 1914 he married Annie Maud Corner.In 1915 they had a daughter, Frances Hannah Barker. At this time they were living at 18 The Green, Billingham.
His name is not commemorated on this memorial but a J Barker is commemorated on the memorials in Saint Cuthbert`s church, Billingham and the Billingham War memorial.
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One of a number of teenagers who are commemorated on this memorial is Robert Duncan. He served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment (15th battalion) and died near Ypres in Belgium on 28 July 1917, aged 18.
He was the son of Stephen and Emma Duncan of 23 Elm Street, Haverton Hill. Robert was born in Haverton Hill, but his father , like many others in the locallity, had moved from Cheshire to work in the salt industry. Robert is buried in Dozinghem Military cemetery.
Dozinghem is not actually a place in Belgium.The cemetery is near Poperinge, which was an assembly point for the allies prior to the battles around Ypres. In July 1917 a number of casualty clearing stations were set up in the area prior to an offensive which became known as the Third Battle Of Ypres. These were mobile hospitals which eventually, with the scale of casualties, became like small towns, The British troops gave them names which where puns on Belgium towns. The stations became known as Mendinghem, Dozinghem & Bandaghem. Dozinghem was home to the 4th, 47th & 61st casualty clearing stations.
Robert died prior the Third Battle of Ypres, which commenced 31 July 1917. He may a been badly wounded during an artillery exchange or trench raid.
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On 28 June 1917 the 14th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment took part in an engagement to capture a fortified German position, named Oppy Wood, near Arras. Among the soldiers of this regiment was Private Robert Britton.
Robert was from Port Clarence, the son of Thomas and Ellen Britton, who lived at 4 Lowthian Terrace. He was to become a casualty during the engagement, sadly dying on 2 July 1917. His body now rests in Duisans British Cemetery, near Arras. The cemetery was used by the 8th, 19th & 41st Casualty Clearing Stations.
The York & Lancaster Regiment (14th Battalion) was also Known as the 2nd Barnsley Pals Battalion. The “pals” battalions were made up of recruits from the same districts and suffered high casualties during the Battle Of The Somme. To replenish the numbers recruits were drafted from elsewhere in Great Britain. This is probably why someone from Port Clarence served with the York & Lancasters.
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Thanks for this. Robert was our Great Uncle. Interested to hear from any other descendants.
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During the First World war there was a German prisoner of war camp at Port Clarence. I believe three prisoners died whilst in the camp and were buried in the church yard of Saint John the Evangelist, at Haverton Hill. Their bodies may have been repatriated after the war as there are no German war graves in the cemetery today.
The prisoners were given work on road and land reclamation schemes in the area. It was reported on 15 June 1917 that groups of German prisoners were along the side of the River Tees when the boat carrying King George V and his queen past by on its route from Middlesbrough to Ropners shipyard in Stockton. Surprisingly they cheered the King as he went by.
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In 1959 the governments of the United kingdom and the Federal republic of Germany made an agreement about the future care of the remains of German military personnel and German civilian internees of both World Wars who at the time were interred in various cemeteries not already maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It was agreed that the remains would be transferred to a single central cemetery, established for the purpose, at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.
The inauguration of the cemetery took place in June 1967. It now contains nearly 5,000 German, Austrian & Ukranian graves. I haven`t yet been able to establish if the remains of the Port Clarence POW`s are lying here. The inhabitants of Haverton Hill and Port Clarence, of 1916, would have been witness to the deaths of two other Germans now buried at the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery.
On the night of 27 November 1916 the German Zeppelin L34 was on a raid to bomb targets in the North East of England. The airship had bombed Hartlepool and was heading East when it was intercepted by a BE2C aeroplane flown by 2nd Lt. Ian Vernon Pyott of 36 squadron, based at Seaton Carew. Pyott pursued and fired numerous rounds into L34 as it turned back out to sea off the mouth of the River Tees. At 11.40 P.M. the Zeppelin burst into flames, the descent took several minutes, with the fireball of the doomed Zeppelin visible for miles around. The wreckage fell into the Tees Bay off Hartlepool. All the crew of 20 died. The bodies of two crew members, Julius Wilhelm Petitjean & Alfred Ruger, were washed ashore at a later date. They were initially buried, on 11 January 1917, at Seaton Carew. They now lie in the German Military Cemetery.
The remains of another three crew members were also recovered from the sea but there is no further information on where they were buried.
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Thanks Martin for all the info.
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The Battle of Arras took place between 9 April and 16 May 1917 around the French city of Arras. During the battle the British First & Third armies suffered about 160,000 casualties and the German 6th Army 125,000 casualties. Lance Corporal P Barker of the Durham Light infantry (10th Battalion), who is commemorated on this memorial, was killed here on 14 May 1917.
He was was the son of Barbara Barker who lived at 7 Victoria street, Haverton Hill.His body is in Wancourt British cemetery, which is 8 Kilometres South east of Arras.
Among the many acts of heroism which took place during the battle was that of Private Michael Heaviside of the Durham light infantry (15th battalion). He was a stretcher bearer and former miner from Craghead. On the morning of 6 May, despite machine gun and sniper fire, he crawled across no mans land to a shell hole only 40 yards from the German lines to the aid of a badly wounded soldier who had laid out on the battlefield for several days. After treating the soldier Private Heaviside crawled back to the British lines and returned later under the cover of darkness with other stretcher bearers to rescue the wounded man. For his act of bravery he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The severity of the battle is demonstrated by the fact that, of the 1,936 burials Wancourt British cemetery contains, 829 are unidentified.
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Two of the men named on the memorial died 100 years ago this April.
The Reverend Matthew Forster Burdess was an army chaplain attached to the 1/6th Gloucestershire Regiment.In April 1917 the Gloucestershire regiment were part of the 144th Brigade who were occupying Peronne in the Somme area of France. The Reverend Burdess and a number of other officers were killed on 18 April 1917 when a mine was exploded near to their dugout.
Reverend Burdess had been the rector of St. Thomas` at Port Clarence prior to signing up. He was born in Sunderland and was the son of George & Rachel Ann Burdess. He was aged 39. He is buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, near Peronne. Also buried on the same date in this cemetery are five other officers (3 Gloucestershire, 1 Royal Scots & 1 Royal Army Medical Corp ), who I assume must have been the in the dugout.
Private Joseph William Forster served with the Royal Marine light Infantry. He died 22 April 1917 near to Arras. His father was George Henry Forster who lived at 1 Lowthian Terrace, Port Clarence. He is buried in Maroeuill British Cemetery, which is 6 kilometers North west of Arras.
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Reverend Burdess was a priest at Saint Mary`s catholic church, Stockton-On-Tees, prior to becoming rector at Port Clarence. He is also commemorated on the Pieta which stands outside Saint Mary`s in Stockton.
Tragically he had only been in France for five weeks when he died.
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On 18 April 1918 the 1/6th Gloucestershire Regiment’s battalion H.Q. was situated in a cellar at Villers Faucon. It was destroyed by a German mine with a delayed fuse. Six British officers were killed in the explosion.
Captain Matthew Forster Burdess. Army Chaplains Department.
Major Robert Finlay Gerard. Royal Scots.
Captain Everard Harrison. Royal Army Medical Corps.
Lieutenant Leonard King. Gloucestershire Regiment.
Captain Louis Cameron Nott. Gloucestershire regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Walker Nott. Gloucestershire Regiment.
The last two officers were brothers.
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Joseph William Forster is recorded as having died from disease. Approximately 662,000 soldiers died during the Great War. Of these 86,000 died from non military causes such as disease or accident. I do not have a definitive cause of death. He served with the 1st Royal Marine battalion, who were part of the 63rd Naval Division.
Joseph William Forster was born in Port Clarence in 1889 to George Henry Forster & Elizabeth Annie Forster. Prior to the war he had worked as a cast iron moulder. Probably at the Anderston Foundry, Port Clarence.
He is the only member of the Royal Marine Light Infantry buried in Maroueill British Cemetery.
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