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20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
The 20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised in Sunderland on the 10th of July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.
After inital training close to home the moved to Wensleydale in August and then to Barnard Castle in October. In January they joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot.
They proceeded to France on the 5th May 1916 landing at Le Havreand and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme.
In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt.
They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys.
In March they transferred to 124th Brigade, still with 41st Division. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead.
Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.
6th May 1915 On the Move
10th Jul 1915 Wearside Pals Battalion formed 20th (Service) Battalion (Wearside) Durham Light Infantry, known as the Wearside Pals was formed in Sunderland on 10 July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.
Aug 1915 Wearside Pals train in Wensleydale 20th Battalion DLI are training at a tented camp in Wensleydale from August until October when they moved to Barnard Castle.
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
7th Jan 1916 Wearside Pals to Aldershot 20th Battalion DLI, move to Aldershot to join 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They were the only North-country battalion in the 41st Division and with a high proportion of miners, it became well known for its digging abilities.
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
9th February 1916 Call Ups
1st May 1916 On the Move
1st May 1916 Wearside Pals prepare to embark
4th May 1916 Wearside Pals embark for France The 20th DLI entrain at Farnborough and embark on SS Arundal at Southampton
5th May 1916 Wearside Pals proceed to France 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry land at Le Havre aboard the SS Arundal, as part of 123rd Brigade, 41st Division.
5th May 1916 Wearside Pals travel to front
8th May 1916 Concentration
9th May 1916 Orders
10th May 1916 Wearside Pals under instruction
10th May 1916 Orders
11th May 1916 Preparations
12th May 1916 School of Instruction
13th May 1916 Postponement
14th May 1916 Trench Raid
15th May 1916 Instruction
17th May 1916 Gas Alert
18th May 1916 Orders 
28th May 1916 Wearside Pals Move
29th May 1916 Wearside Pals go into line
26th July 1916 Artillery active during the day
23rd Aug 1916 20th DLI head for the Somme
7th Sep 1916 20th DLI at Becorel
12th Sep 1916 20th DLI in line on The Somme
13th September 1916 Reliefs
13th Sep 1916 Instructions
14th Sep 1916 20th DLI at Pommiers Redoubt
14th September 1916 123rd Infantry Brigade Order 31.
14th September 1916 Instructions
15th Sep 1916 Orders
17th Sep 1916 20th DLI in the Montauban line
27th Sep 1916 20th DLI undertake reconnaissance
30th September 1916 Usual heavy shelling.
1st Oct 1916 On the Move
3rd Oct 1916 20th DLI rest at Mametz Wood
7th Oct 1916 20th DLI back to the line
17th Oct 1916 Wearside Pals leave The Somme
18th Oct 1916 Wearside Pals arrive at Oismont
20th Oct 1916 20th DLI entrain
22nd Oct 1916 20th DLI at Renningshelst
3rd Nov 1916 Wearside Pals go into line
3rd Nov 1916 20th Durhams at Ontario Camp
18th Nov 1916 Snow in Ypres Sector 20th Durhams report that it is very cold and snowing. Fighting dimishes but still casualties. They report the Battalion strength as 29 officers and 828 men.
23rd Nov 1916 20th Durhams at Ontario Camp
25th Dec 1916 Trench Mortars at Christmas
29th Dec 1916 Wearside Pals return Ontario Camp
1st Jan 1917 New Year War Diary 20th DLI
3rd Jan 1917 Very wet in Ypres Sector
17th Jan 1917 20th DLI in the line
21st Jan 1917 20th DLI return to Ontario Camp
28th Jan 1917 20th DLI clear trenches
2nd Feb 1917 Wearside Pals Football Match In a welcome break from routine fighting, having been in and out of the trenches for weeks. The Battalion hold a football competition and attend church in Reninghelst.
5th Mar 1917 20th DLI relieve East Surreys
18th Mar 1917 Wearside Pals War Diary
24th Mar 1917 Wearside Pals on stand by 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry move out of the line and are on 'stand-by'Wearside Pals by John Sheen
24th Mar 1917 Wearside Pals on stand by 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry move out of the line and are on 'stand-by'
30th May 1917 Appendix "I" - Operational Order No. 9.
7th June 1917 At 0030 hours night of 6th - 7th the Battalion moved on to tapes laid out behind our Front Line
6th August 1917 Posting
Nov 1917 Wearside Pals proceed to Italy 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry leave France for Italy with 41 Division.
Mar 1918 Wearside Pals return to France 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry leave Italy with 41 Division and return to France in March 1918.
26th April 1918 Working Parties
30th June 1918 Instruction No.7. Para 2 to be read in conjunction with Operation Orders No. 7.
4th November 1918 Orders were received for the Battalion to relieve D.L.I. ( 124th Brigade )
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War 1914-1918. - Alderson John W.. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
- Angel J. H.. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
- Angel Richard. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1917)
- Atkinson John. Sgt.
- Atkinson John. Field Sgt.
- Atkinson John.
- Belson Sidney Victor. Pte.
- Belson Sidney Victor. Pte.
- Burn John William. Pte. (d.8th Jun 1917)
- Carrick John. Pte. (d.23rd July 1916)
- Carrick John. Pte. (d.23rd Jul 1916)
- Crowther Joseph Frederick. Pte. (d.23rd Mar 1918)
- Donnelly DSO, MM, MC. James. Staff Sgt.
- Finn Robert. Pte. (d.31st Jul 1917)
- Grieves William. Pte (d.29th September 1916)
- Hall Norman. Pte. (d.14th Sep 1916)
- Hodgson Robery. Sgt.
- Hutchinson James. Pte. (d.6th Jun 1917)
- Jones Francis Henry . Pte. (d.12th Sept 1918)
- Kennedy M.. Pte. (d.31st March 1918)
- Lindsey James. Sgt. (d.3rd Oct 1916)
- Longstaff Richard Parker. Pte.
- Miller Jampson Young. Pte.
- Nelson James. Pte. (d.28th July 1917)
- Nelson John Robert. Pte. (d.1917)
- Nevin Edward. Pte. (d.3rd Jun 1917)
- Novinski S.. Signaller.
- Robinson Walter. L/Cpl. (d.21st Sep 1917)
- Robson Ralph Maddison. L/Cpl. (d.30th Sep 1916)
- Searey James. Pte.
- Smith Robert Cecil. Lt.Col. (d.1st December 1917)
- Steedman John. Pte. (d.27th Jul 1918)
- Stephenson Joseph Henry. L/Cpl.
- Telfer Robert. Pte. (d.27th Jul 1916)
- Thompson John Frederick. Pte. (d.31st Jul 1917)
- Waggott David.
- Waldram Walter William. Private
- Watson James Thomas. Pte. (d.25th Oct 1918)
- Willis Arthur Rhys. 2nd.Lt. (d.28th July 1917)
- Wilson MC & Bar Hubert Francis. Capt.
- Wilson MM. William. Sgt. (d.25th Mar 1918)
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources.
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Pte. John Frederick Thompson 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.31st Jul 1917) Freddie Thompson was born in 1893 and baptised St Peter's Monkwearmouth on 14 June that year. His parents were Charles Gabrielson Thompson (1853-1924) and Margaret nee Fox.
At the time of the 1911 census Freddie was living at 41 Hendon Valley Road, Sunderland with his parents and three of his siblings; he was a shipwright.
Freddie enlisted on 13 November 1915 and was appointed to the 17th DLI as a reservist. He is described as being 5ft 6in tall with 'fair' physical development. He was unmarried and his occupation was as a clerk. He was mobilized on 28 Jan 1916 to 17th DLI and posted to the 20th Battalion on 10 March.
He was sent to France on 5 May that year as part of the British Expeditionary Force, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre. He fought in the Battle of the Somme later that year.
He was posted as missing on 12 Aug 1917 and he was later presumed killed on 31 July at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge; the first day of the opening attack of the third battle of Ypres.
His name is engraved on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres, Belgium. He is also commemorated in the DLI Book at Durham Cathedral.
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Sgt. William Wilson MM. 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Mar 1918) William Wilson was awarded the Military Medal for actions in Italy, published in the London Gazette on 19th of March 1918.
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Pte. James Thomas Watson 20th (Wearside) Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Oct 1918) While researching family tree I came across the records in the Burnt records section on Ancestry for James Watson killed in action France and Flanders.
He was not on the Commonwealth War Graves list and not specifically mentioned in Durham Record Office DLI Records. Although not a direct ancestor he features on my tree. Ancestry have images of his attestation record, so wondering why he is not on CW Graves site
James Thomas was born in Chester le Street in 1897 the son of Thomas and Louisa Alvina Watson nee Wilson. He married Mary Middlemass in 1908 and had four sons and one daughter.
He served as a private in 20th Bn DLI and was killed in action 25th of October 1918 at Heestert, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
I am wondering if he is on the war memorial in Chester le Street?
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Capt. Hubert Francis Wilson MC & Bar 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Hubert Wilson MB ChB was in the RAMC and was MO i/c 20th DLI from January 1917 until January 1918. He retuened from two weeks leave at the beginning of June 1917 just before the Battle of Messines. He had been based in a regimental aid post in the cellar of a Brasserie in or near St. Eloi. I have a letter written by him on the 8th of June describing his experiences. After the battle he moved his aid post to the hill above Wytschaete.
He was gazetted on Sept 26th and November 9th MC and Bar gained in Passchendael Offensive.
He later accompanied the 20th DLI to Italy.
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2nd.Lt. Arthur Rhys Willis 20th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th July 1917) James Nelson served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 28th of July 1917 at Fusilier Wood in the Ypres salient. James has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate. He was killed at the same time as Second Lieutenant Arthur Rhys Willis and 4 others and the officer has a grave at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery. According to regimental records these people were killed by artillery fire and its my guess that whatever remains there were, are probably all together in this grave.
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Pte. James Nelson 20th Btn. A Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.28th July 1917) Born to a large family, James Nelson was the eldest son, aged 38 when he died. He served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and was killed in action on the 28th July 1917 at Fusilier Wood in the Ypres salient,leaving a wife and family at home. James has no known grave but is commemorated on the Menin Gate. He was killed at the same time as Second Lieutenant Arthur Rhys Willis and 4 others and the officer has a grave at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension Grave. According to regimental records these people were killed by artillery fire and its my guess that whatever remains there were, are probably all together in this grave. His brother John Robert was the youngest son, aged 18 when he died. He served with the 2nd/5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. I've tried for years to locate him and in the end an old friend of mine who happens to be an expert saved the day. He was killed in action on 29th April 1918 and is buried at Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery which is only 1.9km from Dickebusch and 10km from the Menin Gate.
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Lt.Col. Robert Cecil Smith 20th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st December 1917) Lieutenant Colonel Smith was the Son of Maj. Gen. C. H. Smith, C.B. (Royal Artillery), and Tryphosa Smith, of Cecil House, Great Missenden, Bucks.
He attended 11th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
He was 33 when he was killed in action and died of wounds. He is buried in the Falze Communal Cemetery, Trevignano, Italy.
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Private Walter William Waldram 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Walter Waldram, my grandfather was born on 26th of January 1896. He returned to Eston when he was discharged from the 20th Btn DLI on 1st of January 1919 from South Camp, Ripon. He married Edna Mary Muriel Leng on 22nd of November 1919 and they immigrated to Australia in 1924 with their children Enid and Alfred. He lived and worked in Kersley and Cessnock in New South Wales. He passed away in 1969. I remember him singing and whistling the DLI anthem when I was a child.
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Pte. M. Kennedy 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.31st March 1918) Private Kennedy was aged 36 when he died at 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Gezaincourt on 31st March 1918. He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, the son of James and Ellen Kennedy who lived at 5 Halifax Lane Fold, Luddenden, Yorkshire.
Private Kennedy is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave II.H.11.
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Pte. John Robert Nelson 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.1917) I know John Nelson was 18 when he was killed according local records of service of members of New Brancepeth working men's club. According to these he was killed in Italy in 1917. I can't find any record of him at all regarding his service or Commonwealth War Graves but he is on the war memorial in New Brancepeth a former mining village just outside of Durham City.
His eldest brother, James, was also in the 20th Battalion DLI and was killed on 28th July 1917 by artillery fire alongside one officer and 4 others. The officer has a grave and James is commemorated on the Menin Gate as well as the aforementioned memorial.
If anyone could provide more information about John Robert Nelson I would be eternally grateful.
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L/Cpl. Joseph Henry Stephenson 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Joseph Stephenson served in the 1/5th, 3/5th and the 20th DLI in Italy.
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Staff Sgt. James Donnelly DSO, MM, MC. 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry  From a display at the D.L.I. Museum in December 1997 James Donnelly - The "Warrior from Benwell. These are the medals of one of the bravest soldiers ever to have served in the British Army. They were all awarded to James Donnelly from Benwell in Newcastle, who fought with the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War.
The medals are (from left to right) Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal and Belgian Military Decoration.
But the Durham Light Infantry Museum knows little or nothing about the man himself and it is hoping that this display will result in new information coming to light about this brave, local soldier, possibly even from a member of Sergeant Donnelly's family.
It is known - mostly from local newspapers of the time - that James Donnelly volunteered for the Army in August 1914 and joined Durham Light Infantry as a Private. After training, he was sent to France in May 1915. He fought on the Western Front in 17 battles, firstly with the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and later with the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, ending in 1918 as a Company Sergeant Major.
In September 1916 on the Somme, Sergeant Donnelly led his platoon "with great gallantry and initiative" although severely wounded. For this action, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
In August 1917 at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele, Sergeant Donnelly with his platoon built a barricade across a communication trench to delay a German attack. Soon only James Donnelly was left. Armed only with his rifle and bayonet and some hand grenades, he then held off the Germans for seventeen hours. For this action - "a magnificent example" he was awarded the Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
James Donnelly was also awarded the Military Medal in 1916, the Military Cross in 1918 - an award usually given to officers - and the Belgium Military Decoration.
But after James Donnelly left the Army in 1919, he simply disappears from the history books. Nothing is known of his family, his work, or even when he died or where he is buried. It is information like this that the Durham Light Infantry Museum is keen to discover.
One story about this "irrepressible warrior from Benwell" - as a Durham Light Infantry History calls him - is, however, known and is worth telling. After he had been badly wounded during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916, James Donnelly was sent home to recover. He soon thought that he was fit enough to return to France but was, instead, posted to the 16th (reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry to convalesce. Sergeant Donnelly then decided to "desert" and made his own way back to his Battalion in France. Eventually the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was asked about a "deserter" called Donnelly and large amounts of "missing" kit. As this "deserter" was now the owner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar and Military Medal, the inquiries were quickly dropped.
Proceedings of the Newcastle Council, 6th March 1919: presentation of medals. The Lord Mayor then called upon the Major-General Sir R. A. Kerr Montgomery to present the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar awarded to Sergeant Major James Donnelly of the Durham Light Infantry. In doing so, the Lord Mayor said: "Almost every day it falls to my lot to present a Military decoration of one class or another to some hero of the Great War but it is seldom that there is for presentation to one soldier a Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, as in the case of our gallant friend Sergeant Major Donnelly of the Durham Light Infantry. Sergeant Major Donnelly was one of the first 100,000 patriots who responded to Lord Kitchiners appeal for voluntary service in August 1914. He went to France in May 1915 and has served continuously ever since up to his recent de-mobilisation. He has taken an active part in seventeen big engagements, fifteen offensive and two defensive. He also took part in the first daylight raid at Arras.
As to the winning of decoration No 1. After part of the British trenches of Ypres had to be given up Sergeant Major Donnelly, with a few men, built a barrier across a communication trench and proceeded to hold it against the Huns. One by one the little British Band became casualties until only Donnelly was left with rifle and bayonet and a supply of bombs, he held the position alone for seventeen hours when he was relieved. Later he was wounded, proceeded home and joined a training Battalion; but he was restless at home and fighting was going on in France and under somewhat extraordinary circumstances he returned to the front.
The circumstances under which the second decoration was won was briefly: "Although wounded he led his Platoon with great gallantry and initiative. He lay down on the ground gained all day. When darkness came he rose, collected the wounded and took up a patrol to the objective when he was severely hit." The third decoration was gained on the eve of the armistice when Sergeant Major Donnelly displayed remarkable courage after covering and crossing of the Scheldt. That was on the 9th November last, I cannot better conclude than by reading the communication passed on to Sergeant Major Donnelly by the Major General Commanding 41st Division which is as follows: "I wish to place on record my appreciation of the great gallantry, devotion to duty and fine leadership which you displayed during the operation near Knokke from 21st to 26th October 1918."
Major General Sir R. A. Kerr Montgomery pinned the medals and bar on Sergeant Major Donnelly's breast and congratulated him, shaking him briskly by the hand. Sergeant Major Donnelly thanked the General and the Lord Mayor and expressed his pleasure and pride at having had his decoration presented to him in the presence of such a large audience.
James Donnelly's medals have been kindly loaned for six months to the Durham Light Infantry museum by a local member of the Orders and Medals Research Society who wishes to remain anonymous."
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Pte. Norman Hall 20th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.14th Sep 1916) Norman Hall, along with two other brothers joined up to fight for their country. Horatio Nelson Hall (Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery) and Thomas William Hall both survived and returned home.
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Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Sidney Belson was originally posted to 2/7th DLI in September 1916, home service due to his occupation (listed as houseman on farm in 1911 census). He was posted to 20th DLI early in July 1917 just in time to take part in the actions of 3rd Ypres. On 31st of July he was one of the DLI soldiers who wound up fighting alongside men of 10th Royal West Kents, who advanced to the right of the 20th DLI. This is documented in the Kents war diary, although no names are given. It is thought that he found himself there owing to his job as a runner/bugler. He was reunited with the battalion after the action in and around Hollebeke and remained there until discharged in early 1919, again because of his occupation.
Like most men who served in this war he said very little about his experiences. He talked of training American troops. Also about not being able to give a reply to a message as MPs would not let him through, saying the men he wanted to reach had been wiped out. Another time he and 12 other runners were sent off with a message and he was the only one to deliver it because the other runners were all killed.
On returning from the western front he resumed his job and married in 1924. He lived in Cippenham until his death. Of the four Belson brothers who went to war he was the only one to come back uninjured physically with two brothers being killed, one at Mont Kemmel in 1918, and the last being a recipient of the silver war badge.
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Pte. Francis Henry Jones 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Sept 1918) My great uncle was always known at home as Harold. It has been very difficult tracing him.
He joined the Durham Light Infantry the 20th Battalion and all I know is he died on 12th Sept 1918 of wounds. His name was Francis Henry Jones, and it is very odd, because he had a younger brother who was also called Francis Henry Jones! I imagine his parents decided to call the later baby after the first born of about 10 children in remembrance of Harold.
I was told he died aged 24 near to the end of the First World War in France. He was a baker before he joined up, and I was told he was a cook in the Army. Perhaps he did his training in Aldershot?
He was born in South Shields, County Durham, and never married, so no children, but as his great niece (his sister Elizabeth's grand daughter) I am proud of what he did.
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Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry This man was my great grandfather. He was posted to the 20th DLI at the beginning of July 1917 and remained there until demobbed. He was a runner and a bugle boy.
Having enlisted in 1915 he was sent to the 2/7th DLI until being sent overseas in 1916. His service record shows several postings but only the one to the 20th is eligable. A family legend says he once ended up fighting with a Kent regiment and another that he was not allowed to return to his unit as they had been wiped out by gas.
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Pte. James Hutchinson 20th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.6th Jun 1917) James Hutchinson served with the 20th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died in June 1917 and is buried in Dickebusch new military cemetery in Belgium.
He was the beloved husband of Sally (nee Sarah Smith), and father to Tom who I used to visit in his retirement in Corby. James is my Great uncle and I will be paying my respects at his grave this year, as well as remembering other relatives at their various memorials.
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Sgt. James Lindsey 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Oct 1916) James Lindsey died aged 27, he was born in Jarrow in 1889. In the 1911 Census James Lindsey, age 22, a General Shipyard Labourer, is listed as living with his Widowed Grandmother Elizabeth Kenny or Henry at 107 High Street, Jarrow, County Durham. He enlisted in South Shields
James is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. Mericourt-L'Abbe.
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Pte. Robert Telfer 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1916) Robert Telfer died aged 32, he was born in Sunderland in 1884, son of William and Jane Telfer (nee Hindhaugh). In the 1911 Census Robert Telfer, age 27, a Shop Assistant, is recorded as living with his Widowed Mother Jane Telfer & his siblings at 43, Primrose Crescent, Tulwell, Sunderland. He enlisted in Jarrow, at the time he lived in Heaton Newcastle and was employed as Boot Shop Manager in Jarrow.
Robert is buried in Tancrez Farm Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow
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Pte. John Steedman 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Jul 1918) John Steedman died age 25, he was born in Hebburn in 1892, son of John Andrew and Elizabeth Steedman (nee Roberts) of 33 Priestman Avenue The Grove Consett. In the 1911 Census he is listed as John Edward Steedman, aged 19, an Apprentice Baker, lived with his parents John Andrew & Elizabeth Steedman in 28, Caledonian road, Jarrow . He lived and enlisted Jarrow
John is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph Jarrow.
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Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
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Durham Pals: 18th, 19th, 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War John Sheen
The Durham Pals were the volunteer Geordie battalions of the Durham Light Infantry raised in the north-east in the Great War. The 18th Durhams had the proud distinction of being the first unit of Kitchener's New Armies to come under enemy fire before even leaving Blighty when German ships shelled Hartlepool in December 1914. The 19th were raised as Bantams ( men blow the minimum height requirement) ; the 20th (Wearside) hailed from Sunderland; while the 22nd was the last raised - and fought through the hard battles of 1918. After their baptism of fire while training in Hartlepool, the 18th were seriously blooded on July 1st 1916 as the battle of the Somme opened, when they fought in support of the Leeds and Bradford Pals. After fighting in the successful Messines offensive in June 1917 the 20th were sent to the Italian front; while the 19th distinguished themselves in Flanders during the final Allied advance of 1918. This book pay tribute to them all.
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