In Longbenton (Benton) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of Major Roy Creasey Longhurst, MiD., serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers who died 08/03/1918.
The headstone reads:-
In memory of
Roy Creasey Longhurst Major N.F.
The dearly loved husband
Mary Robina Longhurst
who died 8th March 1918 in his 30th year.
Block in front reads:-
Mary Robina (Ruby)
Died 18th Feb 1979
Aged 86 years
Roy Cressy Longhurst (97), was a member of the Durham University Officer Training Corps in August, 1914, and a few months later received his commission in the 23rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish). He was promoted Captain while undergoing preliminary training at Alnwick, and went to the front in January, 1916.
He was engaged in the heavy fighting at Arras, Albert, and La Boisselle, and was gazetted Major on the field and subsequently acting Lieutenant-Colonel. In October, 1917, he was granted six months’ leave of absence in England and appointed Commandant of the Training School for the Durham Auxiliary Volunteer Forces being attached to the 3rd Battalion N.F. He had been mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh’s despatch of November 13th, 1916, and during his Colonel’s illness was personally complimented by Sir Douglas Haig for his work.
He was accidentally killed on March 8th, 1918, whilst on military service, by colliding with a tram-car, when travelling on his motor-cycle from Newcastle to Benton during a snowstorm at night.
His Colonel said: “I need not tell you how I appreciated and valued Major Longhurst as a comrade at the front, but far beyond that was his splendid loyalty and affection for his regiment, and all ranks of the 4th Battalion Tyneside Scottish have lost one of their very best friends. You perhaps do not know how he devoted his spare time to the men’s comfort and well-being and what valuable work he did in this way.”
The Coroner’s Report states:
Royal Victoria Infirmary 9th March 1918.
Roy Creassey Longhurst, aged 30 years. Major 23rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Batt Tyneside Scottish), Boldon. Home address: 11 Queens Gardens, Benton. Died at 1st Northern General Hospital at 6.05pm on 8th Adjd to R.V.I. at 5.45pm on 15th March. Deceased died from the effects of injuries received caus’.ed by a motor cycle which he was riding having accidentally collided with a tram car on the Benton Road about 1.25pm on Friday 8th March.
Roy’s widow Mary (Ruby) Robina Longhurst was responsible for commissioning the War Memorial plaque within the church L25.02
The CWGC gives his initials as ‘C.R.’
Roy Creasey Longhurst is remembered at Longbenton on L25.02, at Jesmond J1.04 in J1.19 page 39, and Newcastle NUT063.
