War Memorials Elsewhere, - Shiney Row (Co. Durham)

The War Memorial at Shiney Row, Co. Durham
(Photo : Stan Laundon of the Historic England website)

The names that are inscribed on the four faces of the memorial are as below. Some of the names appear twice, and it is not clear whether this is because of them belonging to different men or due to error.
The names of men of the Yorkshire Regiment are shown in bold, and their details are given beneath the list of names.

A photo of one of the West Face of the memorial, together with names, is shown below.

(1) Two "J Patterson" names, - one man is from Yorkshire Regiment, the other from the Northumberland Fusiliers.
(2) Shown in SDGW as "M Hewison", but in CWGC register as "John Matthew Hewison"
(3) Correct spelling of name is "W Pickford"

Private Robert Barker, 19412. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 September 1916.
Born Penshaw (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial.

Private John Arthur Beer. 12303. 6th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 11 August 1915. Aged 23.
Born New Cross (London S E), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided New Cross (London)
Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, Helles Memorial.
(In the 1911 Census he is shwn as being a coal miner, living in Fatfield, Co. Durham. He is shown as "John Beer").

Private Benjamin Billings. 63872. 1/8th Battalion Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), formerly 46493 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 September 1918.
Born South Shields, Enlisted Sunderland
Buried ORIVAL WOOD CEMETERY, FLESQUIERES.

Private Benjamin William Brunson. 19537. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 13 July 1916.
Born Washington, Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE.

Private Jack Brunton, 20283. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Eliza Brunton, of 9, George St. East, New Herrington, Philadelphia, Co. Durham. Killed 11 April 1917. Aged 23.
Born Penshaw (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided New Herrington.
Commemorated Bay 5, Arras Memorial.

Private Edward Cain. 14578. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916.
Born Penshaw, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial.

Private Henry Chalk. 45988. 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, formerly 20235 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Henry and Margaret Chalk. Killed 29 March 1918. Aged 19.
Born Lumley, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fence Houses.
Commemorated Panel 68 to 72, Pozieres Memorial.

Private Francis William Crabtree, 14963. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 19 September 1917.
Born Brandon, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Panel 52 to 54 and 162A, Tyne Cot Memorial.

Private Robert William Cummings, 11312. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 10 November 1915..
Born Marske (Saltburn - Yorks), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Old Penshaw (Durham).
Buried HILL 10 CEMETERY.
(A Photo of Robert Cummings' grave, provided by his grandson, can be seen at the bottom of this page)

Private William Henry Fowler, 20370. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of M. A. Gofton (formerly Fowler), of 36, Lanton St., New Herrington. Died at home 12 September 1916. Aged 39.
Born Hendon (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried HERRINGTON (ST. CUTHBERT) CHURCHYARD.

Corporal Matthew Guthrie, 11646. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, attd. 32nd Light Trench Mortar Bty. Son of Elizabeth and the late Patrick Guthrie, of 11 Chapel Row, Shiney Row, Fence Houses, Co. Durham. Killed 28 May 1918. Aged 29.
Born Penshaw (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row.
Buried PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY.

Private William Hanlon. 11742. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 7 August 1915.
Born Penshaw (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Sunderland.
Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, Helles Memorial.

Private John Matthew Hewison. 14961. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr. M. and Mrs. A. Hewison, of 3, Quarry Head, Shiney Row, Philadelphia, Co. Durham; husband of Mrs. A. H. Hewison. Died 22 September 1915. Aged 22.
Born Millfield (Sunderland), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Penshaw.
Buried BREWERY ORCHARD CEMETERY, BOIS-GRENIER.

Private John Holland. 11064. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. Jane Holland, of 29, Lambton Terrace, Penshaw, Philadelphia, Co. Durham. Killed 22 August 1915. Aged 23.
Born Penshaw (Houghton-le-Spring), Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Panel 55 to 58, Helles Memorial.

Pioneer James Hope. 360606. Royal Engineers, 35th Signal Coy, formerly 11105 6th Batallion Yorkshire Regiment.
Killed 1 October 1918.
Born Broomhills, Staffs, Enlisted Newcastle-on-Tyne, Resided Penshaw, Co. Durham.
Buried LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY.
James Hope's brother Fred Hope is also remembered on the Shiney Row War Memorial.
(Comprehensive biographical information on James Hope has been submitted by Pauline Priano on the North East war Memorials Project website. To read this biography select this link.)

Private John Robert Laws, 14264. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Robert and the late Margaret Laws, of Old Renshaw. Killed 30 December 1915. Aged 24.
Born Penshaw (Houghton-le-Spring), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Old Penshaw.
Buried BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY.

Private Fred Leadbitter, 14460. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 21 March 1918.
Born Millfield (Sunderland), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried HAM BRITISH CEMETERY, MUILLE-VILLETTE.

Private Matthew Lumsden, 19688. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 6 November 1918.
Born Easington (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Old Penshaw (Fencehouses).
Buried BETTRECHIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY.

Private John McCormick, 27617. 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, formerly 12549 Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Hannah Tate McCormick, of 1, Burdon St., Ryhope, Co. Durham. Killed 21 November 1917. Aged 30.
Born Whitehaven (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland.
Commemorated Panel 5, Cambrai Memorial (Louverval).

Serjeant Charles William Mellor, 15001.7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and Louisa Mellor, of 28, South View, Shiney Row, Fence Houses, Co. Durham. Killed 4 October 1917. Aged 23.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row.
Buried ST. HILAIRE CEMETERY, FREVENT.

Private Joseph Thomas Oliver, 203085. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 April 1917.
Born Shiney Row (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided New Errington.
Commemorated Bay 5, Arras Memorial.

Private James Patterson, 17093. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Ralph and Jane Patterson, of Belford House, Usworth Station Rd., New Washington; husband of Jane Patterson, of 2, New Row, South, New Washington, Co. Durham. Killed 5 April 1917. Aged 39.
Born Washington (Co Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Bay 5, Arras Memorial.

Corporal James Robert Pearson, 18208. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 13 September 1916.
Born Birtley (Durham), Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Hetton-le-Hole.
Buried BLIGHTY VALLEY CEMETERY, AUTHUILE WOOD.

Private William Pickford, 11066. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 21 August 1915.
Born Penshaw (Houghton-le-Spring), Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried LALA BABA CEMETERY.
(Information from David Sloan (<david.sloan@btinternet.com>) is that the correct family name is "Pigford" but that this is transcribed in records as "Pickford").

Lance Corporal Thomas Quinn. 260117. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 8 May 1918.
Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Houghton-le-Spring.
Buried LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY.

Private John William Raisbeck, 20274. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 11 April 1917.
Born Spennymoor (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row.
Buried COJEUL BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL.

Private Edward Ramshaw, 14576. 1st/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 14 December 1917.
Born Gateshead, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried TYNE COT CEMETERY.

Private Joseph Ramshaw. 11738. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 14 February 1916.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Commemorated Panel 33, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Private Robert Richardson, 16984. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and Dorothy Richardson, of 15, Beatrie Terrace, Penshaw, Co. Durham. Killed 27 September 1916. Aged 22.
Born Fatfield (Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fatfield.
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial.

Private Ernest Ritchie, 13303. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Hugh and Deborah Ritchie, of Ernie Ville, Herrington Burn, Fence Houses, Co. Durham. Killed 16 July 1916. Aged 30.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Sunderland.
Buried BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY.

Corporal John Smith, 15742. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Stephen and Margaret Smith, of 13, River View, Washington Station, Co. Durham, late of Chester Moor. Killed 31 October 1918. Aged 23.
Born Chester Moor(Chester-le-Street - Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Washington (Durham).
Buried GIAVERA BRITISH CEMETERY, ARCADE.

Private Richard Smith, 47973. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 5/88024 6th T R Battalion. Killed 5 October 1918.
Born Sedgefield (Durham), Enlisted Houghton-le-Spring, Resided Penshaw (Co Durham).
Commemorated Panel 5, Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

Private Eli Staples, 12319. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 4 October 1918.
Born Middleton (Bishop Auckland), Enlisted Shiney Row (Binchester).
Buried CHAPEL CORNER CEMETERY, SAUCHY-LESTREE.

Lance Corporal William Todd, 11740. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late William and Isabella Todd. Native of Durham. Killed 5 October 1918. Aged 26.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses (Durham).
Buried PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY, GOUY.

Private Arthur Ward, 13302. 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Rachel Ward, of 3, Alexandra Terrace, Old Penshaw, Philadelphia, Co. Durham. Killed 11 July 1916. Aged 25.
Born West Pelton (Chester-le-Street - Durham), Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Old Penshaw (Fencehouses).
Commemorated Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, Thiepval Memorial.

Private Robert Harrison Wheldon, 28625. 2/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, formerly 31116 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 25 October 1917.
Born Houghton-le-Spring (Co Durham), Resided Fencehouses (Durham).
Commemorated Panel 102 to 104, Tyne Cot Memorial.

Private James Wilson, 15637. 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Hannah Wilson, of Shiney Row, Co. Durham; husband of Phillis Wilson, of 8, Mill Crescent, Shiney Row, Fence Houses, Co. Durham. Killed 6 August 1915. Aged 31.
Born Newbottle, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried LANCASHIRE LANDING CEMETERY.

Private John William Yeo, 14485. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Yeo, of 9, Thomas St., Monkwearmouth, Sunderland; husband of Margaret Hebron (formerly Yeo), of 11, Victoria Terrace, Old Penshaw, Philadelphia, Co. Durham. Killed 31 August 1918. Aged 28.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Fencehouses.
Buried VIS-EN-ARTOIS BRITISH CEMETERY, HAUCOURT.

The West Face of the Shiney Row War Memorial
Select the above image for a larger sized view, showing the names commemorated, which opens in a new window
(Photo : Stan Laundon of the Historic England website)

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Norman Cummings (<norman_cummings@lineone.net>), grandson of Robert Cummings, visited Gallipoli in September 2002 and photographed his grandfather's grave. Select the thumbnail image below for a larger version of the photo.

The grave of Robert Cummings, Hill 10 cemetery
Photo : Norman Cummings (<norman_cummings@lineone.net>)

A page on the Yorkshire Regiment Remembrance website shows Hill 10 Cemetery and the Yorkshire Regiment graves contained in the cemetery, including that of Robert Cumings..

James Hope, - Biographical Information

James Hope, was one of 7 children of whom 6 survived. His parents Thomas Hope and Emma Jane Glover were both born at Cannock, Staffordshire, in 1869 and 1868 respectively and were married there in 1893. James was born there in 1893. However, within 3 years they had migrated to the north east and Fred was born at Langley Moor, County Durham in 1897.

They occupied 1, Broom Lane Terrace, Ushaw Moor, in 1901, Thomas was employed as a coal hewer. The remainder of their children were all born at New Brancepeth, County Durham, Ambrose in 1900, Ada 1902, Sidney 1904 and Jack 1908.

In 1911 they were living in 4 rooms at 4, Garden Place, Penshaw, Fence Houses, Thomas had been joined at the colliery by James (17) a putter; Fred (13), Ambrose (11), Ada (9) and Sidney (7) were scholars, Jack (3) remained at home with his mother.

When war with Germany was declared in 1914 James Hope was still living with his parents at 32, Mount Pleasant, Penshaw, Fence Houses, employed as a miner. He enlisted for 3 years or the duration of war, General Service (Infantry), August 25th 1914, at Houghton le Spring, County Durham.

Assigned as Private 11105 to D Coy, 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment of the Territorial Force, he joined the new recruits at Richmond, Yorkshire. After 99 days of training he was discharged, December 1st 1914, under King’s Regulations 392 (iii), not being likely to become an efficient soldier, reasons given were, “flat feet illegible unable to shoot”.

Determined to enlist he presented himself at Newcastle upon Tyne, on December 10th 1914 and was accepted into the 19th Battalion, a Pals battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 1147. He served for 3 years 82 days in England until March 1st 1918 when he was mobilised and departed with the British Expeditionary Force to the front having been posted to the 35th Signal Coy Royal Engineers as Pioneer 360606.

The 35th Signal Coy was attached to the 35th Division, maintaining the lines of communication, telephone, wireless and other signalling equipment. In 1918 the 35th Division was in Belgium reinforcing the line in the region north of Ypres. On March 21st they received orders to move south to the Somme as the Germans had attacked again on that front. However, they returned to Belgium participating during the final Allied offensive and had reached the River Dendre in Belgium when the Armistice ended the fighting, November 11th 1918.

Pioneer 360606 James Hope, Royal Engineers, died at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge, in Belgium, of wounds received in action on October 1st 1918 – a gunshot wound to the head which fractured his skull, and wounds to the chest and arms. Pioneer Hope was interred at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave XXIV. C. 24. He was 25 years of age and single.

His father received all monies due to him from the Army also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother was awarded an increase to the pension she already received after the death of his brother Frederick Hope in 1917, from 5 shilling a week to 15 shillings a week and 20 shillings a week as of May 31st 1921.

James’s mother Emma Jane Hope nee Glover died in 1921, registered at Houghton le Spring, County Durham. Details as regards his father Thomas Hope are unknown.

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