 |
War
Memorials Elsewhere, - Annfield Plain (Co. Durham) |
|
The Cenotaph for Annfield Plain
Photo : David Barker of the Imperial War Museum's Register
of War Memorials
The Annfield Plain War Memorial is a Cenotaph set on two steps which have projected areas half way along the steps. The dedication is on the 6 o'clock face with the names on all four sides in lead lettering. Above the dedication and names on the 6 and 12o'clock faces are bronze swords with accompanying wreaths.
263 names are commemorated as having lost their lives inthe First World War, and 66 in the Second World War. A transcription of the names is on the Imperial War Museum's Register of War Memorials.
4 soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment are commemorated on the Cenotaph.
Private Isaac Bird. 30042. 1st Battalion East Yorkshire
Regiment, formerly 204678 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Elizabeth M. Flounders,
of Kell's Buildings, West Rd., Annfield Plain, Co. Durham. Killed 16 April
1918. Aged 20.
Born Dipton (Durham), Enlisted Stanley.
Commemorated on Panel 47 to 48 and 163A, TYNE COT MEMORIAL.
Private Robert Henry Maude. 203172. 4th Battalion Yorkshire
Regiment. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Maude, of 8 Clowes Terrace, Annfield Plain,
Co. Durham. Killed 23 April 1917. Aged 21.
Born Annfield Plain (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland).
Buried L'HOMME MORT BRITISH CEMETERY.
Private Herbert Ness. 7849. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire
Regiment. Killed 10 March 1915.
Born Malton (Yorks), Enlisted Scarborough, Resided Anfield Plain (Durham).
Buried PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE.
2nd Lieutenant Joseph Summerville, MC, MM. 8th Battalion
Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 October 1918. Aged 29.
Buried TEZZE BRITISH CEMETERY.
The following notes on Lieutenant Summerville are taken from Robert Coulson's
Biographies
of Officers of the Yorkshire Regiment;-
Joseph Summerville was born in the pit village of Collierly (*) near Consett
in County Durham in 1889.
He was commissioned from the ranks of the Durham Light Infantry and fought
with the 8th Battalion during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele offensive
in late 1917.
On November 7th 1917 2nd Lt Summerville and the battalion entrained at Wizernes
and arrived on the Italian Front at Rivalta on November 13th.
The spring and summer of 1918 were spent in and out of the line chiefly in
the area of the river Piave in northern Italy.
On October 2nd the battalion moved to the Treviso area and on October 28th
advanced up the Vazzola to Cesiola road towards the river Monticanno.
The following day they pushed on towards the town of Cimetta but came up against
stubborn defence and numerous counter attacks on the outskirts of the town.
It was during one of these attacks that 2nd Lt Joseph Summerville took out
a Lewis Gun in front of the battalion line and single handedly took on an
enemy machine gun.
He died undertaking this gallant action on October 29th 1918 at the age of
29.
His grave today can be seen in Tezze British Cemetery near Treviso to the
north of Venice in northern Italy.
(*) Richard Roberts (<richard.nsw@googlemail.com>) added that "Joseph Summerville was born in Lanchester, the son of Joseph and Frances Summerville and was married to Mary Hannah Summerville. His older brother Thomas Summerville was killed serving with the DLI and is also commemorated on the memorial."
The
Cenotaph for Annfield Plain, in Annfield Plain Park
Photo : Keys
to the Past
-----------------> Return to top of the page