In Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul is the Commonwealth War Grave of Captain Ralph Curry, MiD.,serving with the 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 09/04/1918.
The son of Harriet and the late John Curry, of 29, Co-operative Street, Chester le Street, Co. Durham.
The following information has been supplied by Frank Dobson, his great-nephew:
Ralph Curry was born 6th July 1895 at 6 Pine Street Chester le Street. He was the third son of John and Harriet Curry. Ralph also had three sisters. John Curry was a Joiner by trade. In 1911 the family lived at 17 John Street and by 1918 the family were living at 29 Co-operative Street, Chester le Street.
Ralph went to the Council School in the town and then in 1909 to the Secondary School.
In 1914-5 he was at Bede College Durham.
Ralph joined Durham University O.T.C. at Newcastle and such was his aptitude and proficiency that within three months he was recommended for a Commission on the 3rd November 1915 and secured the position of 2nd Lieutenant.
He went to Durham and then to Doncaster. He quickly rose to secure his full lieutenancy, after which he proceeded to France in May 1916.
He was promoted from a 2nd Lieutenant to an acting Lieutenant as second in command of the 151st Trench Mortar Battery on the 17th April 1917.
There he saw considerable activity on several of the battle fronts and amongst which he had many narrow escapes. Ralph was mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig. He was attached to the Trench Mortar Battery of the DLI. He visited his parents in August 1917 having secured a captaincy. He was gazetted an acting Captain on the 23rd November 1917 whilst commanding Trench Mortar Batteries.
Ralph died of wounds on 9th April 1918. He was 22 years of age. He left an estate valued at £209 and 8 pence.
Ralph Curry is remembered at Chester le Street on C105.01, C105.04, C105.12, C105.14, C105.15, C105.35 and C105.40, at Durham on D47.17 and D47.126, in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 75 and the Battalion History page 237.
