Blaydon Courier
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Medal Index Card
Thomas Arthur Teasdale was born at Leadgate, baptised 15th September 1896, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Shotley-Bridge, the third eldest boy of nine children to Thomas William Teasdale, born 20th May 1866, at 1 Hudgill, Alston, [2nd youngest son of eight children to John and Eleanor Teasdale], and his wife Mary Jane nee Vipond, Teasdale, born 17th December 1869 at Alston, (she died 3rd? May 1853 buried Blackhill Cemtery}. They were married in 1890. The other children were Annie Teasdale, born 1893, died 1912, John George 'Jack' Teasdale, born 14th February 1894, died 1st? May 1964, buried 4th May at Blackhill Cemetery, in 1921 was residing at 3 Watson Street, Blackhill, Benfieldside, with a Florence May, [who was born 28th October 1894], in 1939, they were residing at 35 Crook Hall Main Street, Gateshead with three children, Doris Nora and Alan. John George worked for the Consett Iron Company. Alice Teasdale, born 1900, died 2nd April 1917, Joseph Fenwick Teasdale, born 4th September 1901, died 1982, in 1939, he was married to a Sarah, {born 19th October 1907}, and were residing at 13 St Andrew's Road, Consett, with three children, [Joseph was a Inspector Steel Rolling Mill}. Robert William Teasdale, born 13th January 1906, died January 1985, he married a Bertha E. nee Dodds, (born 9th March 1906), in 1929. In 1939 they were residing at 2 Auckland Road, Bishop Auckland with two children, (Kenneth Teasdale, born 4th February 1932, and one other unknown), and Sidney Walton Teasdale, born 23rd June 1909, [he married a Hilda nee Kirkup Teasdale in 1931, born 6th March 1912, in 1939 they were residing at 3 North View, Consett, with two children, Sydney Teasdale, born 23rd July 1933 and a Gwendoline Teasdale]. 2 Other children died.
Thomas William Teasdale and his wife were residing at Front Street, Alston in 1891, moving to the North East in about 1897. In 1901 the family were residing at 23 Leadgate, and by 1911 were residing at 8 Nelson Street, Consett.
Arthur enlisted on the 29th October 1914 at Consett age 19 years 2 months, 5 feet 5 and a half inches, 124 lbs. Sallow complexion, Hazel Eyes, Dark brown hair. Service number 21203.*
Thomas was placed into the 12th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry as a private. Whilst at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Fenham Barracks he was medically examined to see if he was fit enough to be a soldier. He was discharged on the 27th November 1914 as medically Unfit. Kings Regulations Paragraph 392, iii (c). Heart affected and Mitral Regurgitation. Thomas returned home to now 10 Station Terrace, Consett where his family had moved to after 1911. Returning to work in the mine.
After about a year, Thomas was conscripted into the Royal Engineers 'J' Company, Special Company (Cylinder), 3rd Battalion Special Brigade, Royal Engineers with the service number 128143. This placed him into 'J' Company, due to the serial numbers 128000 to 128538. Probably the 49th Section. (There was a mass compulsory of men transferred into the Royal Engineers at this time). The Special Brigades were responsible for Gas Warfare.
Shortly after enlisting, and with a new service number 128143, Thomas was sent on leave at home for about a week.
Under authority G.H.Q. circular memorandum OB/42 of 24th February 1917, reorganisation of the Special Brigade dates from 12th February 1917. This unit originally known as 'J' company, No 3 Special Battalion R.E. attached No 4 Special Battalion R.E. there became an administrative and executive unit known as 'J' Special Company (Cylinder) R.E.In practice it has been administered till now by No 4 Special Battalion R.E. from February 12th 1917. Hence a summary is now given of the state of the company, and operations since then. In practice it has been administered till now by No 4 Special Battalion R.E. from February 12th 1917. Hence a summary is now given of the state of the company, and operations since then.
War Diary Saturday 10th March 1917.Officers: Commander: Captain J.A. CARPENTER R.E. Second-In-Command: Captain C. LAYCOCK R.E. Section Commanders: Lt L. TAIT R.E. (Sect 42), Lt E.G. LAWFORD R.E. (Sect 41) 2/Lt G.C. ALLCHIN R.E. (Sect 44), 2/Lt V.F. FARR R.E. (Sect 45) 2/Lt R.B. SANTER (Sect 43), Supernumerary 2/Lt B.C. BEVAN R.E.Other Ranks: W.O. 1, Staff Sergeants and Sergeants 13, Corporals 41, Pioneer Sappers 173 Attached on establishment: A.S.T. M.T. 3, A.S.C. H.T. 1 Total - All Ranks on March 10th 1917 - 240.
Under the old establishment, there were eight officers and 250 other ranks Under the new establishment, there are seven officers and 218 other ranks (vide war establishment for a SPECIAL COMPANY (CYLINDER R.E.) SITUATION: The company has been and is situated in ARRAS (15 Rue Jeanne D'Arc) and since Feburary 12th has been working with VII Corps and VI Corps.
OPERATIONS: 1. With VII Corps (14th Division, 43rd Brigade) the maintenance of gas emplacements on 'H' Sector, S.E. of ARRAS (M.10.c.40.40 to G.35.d.35.35, later to G.35.b.80.00 NEUVILLE VITASSE TRENCH MAP 1/10,000)
2. With VI Corps (3rd, 12th, 15th Divisions) the maintenance of gas emplacements on I Sector, E. of ARRAS, to the RIVER SCARPE.
3. With VI Corps (18th Division) an operation taken over from Q Special Company R.E., viz the REID-KELLET PUSH PIPE (BORING) experiment at G.24.c.70.25 (ARRAS TRENCH MAP 1/10,000) in which 280 cylinders were connected, 40 in a group, to seven pipes pushed underground to the German wire. Details are given in Appendix 1
4. With VI Corps, on the 3rd Division front, preparations for the Installation of 900 Livens Projectors firing special drums: Preparations for this operation were made in consultation with B.G.G.S. VIth Corps during the latter part of February 1917
Training: A training ground for the Company in the use of [Liven] projectors with a range of 1300 yards has been used at SIMENCOURT: Each section having been trained the company now being again at ARRAS: The range is in square Q.4.b map 51c.Source : 'J' Company War Diary.
Thomas Arthur was wounded on the 3rd September 1917 at Ervilles, his company were Digging in Liven projectors at U19 b: 1008 now in position: Arrivals: 1 O.R. from depot: 2 O.R. from hosp: Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp. War Office Daily List No. 5354.Weather fine: Wind S.E.Source : 'J' Company War Diary.
Under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916, he is Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" which was placed on the left hand sleeve of his Service Uniform. Thomas is now a Lance-Corporal. After returning back to his unit. Thomas is then promoted to Acting 2nd Corporal.
Source : 'J' Company War Diary. COURCELLES LE-COMTE. Friday 22/Mar/1918.Company engaged in action with 102nd Infantry Brigade. See appendix. Stores evacuated to MONCHY-AU-BOIS and MONDICOURT. Casualties: 6 other ranks killed: 2nd Lieutenant S F. MOSS M.M. wounded: 2nd Lieutenant T.H. STANTON wounded at duty, and 19 other ranks wounded at duty. Missing Captain C. LAYCOCK M.C. and 22 other ranks: 4 other ranks wounded and missing; 2 other ranks missing believed killed.
Weather: Sunny, light Easterly Wind.
Also there is an account of what happened that day from 2nd Lieutenant Burt. Appendix to War Diary March 21st-23rd 1918 No.52
TRANSCRIPTIONREPORT ON OPERATIONS BY 'J' SPECIAL COMPANY REFROM 21st – 23rd March 1918Ref Sheet HENDECOURT 1/30,0001. About 4-0 pm on 21st March, 'J' Special Company RE occupied the trenches of theThird System from B.5.a 5.D to T.20.c 5.5 with 3 Sections; the remaining 2 Sections of'J' Special Coy. Occupied part of the firing line Third System in T.29.c.2. About 8-00 pm a party of men under a Sergt was sent out from the firing line, ThirdSystem to reinforce a patrol of the 22nd [3rd Tyneside Scottish],Northumberland Fusiliers in the sunken roadin T.22.d. This patrol was withdrawn, with the patrol of the 22nd. N.F.s to the firing linein the Third System, at 10-0 p.m.3. About 2-30 p.m. the Brigade Major, 102 Inf Bde took the three sections in the ThirdSystem at B.5.a.5.p. to T.29.c.5.5. to join the other 2 Sections of the Company, thenguided the Coy. to part of the CROISILLES North Switch Line. The Coy. commenceddigging in, but instructions were received shortly after that the Coy. would holdanother part of the line. Finally the Coy. took up position with three Sections holding300 yards of the CROISILLES North Switch Line; the left flank of these Sections being atthe junction of the CROISILLES North Switch and the CROISILLES – BOYELLES RD. Theother two Sections of the Coy. took up position on the ridge of the CROISILLES –BOYELLES RD. in support of the three Sections in the CROISILLES North Switch Line.About 5-30 a.m. 22nd March a German soldier who had lost his way was brought in bythe Coy. Runner who had been with a message to the 25th [2nd Tyneside Irish Battalion], N2.F.s4. At 5-0 a.m. the Coy. took up position on the Sunken Road T.23.a.1.7 to T.17.a.8.0. insupport to the 25th [2nd Tyneside Irish Battalion] N.F.s in the CROISILLES Switch Line in accordance with instructionsfrom 102 Inf. Bde.5. At 8-00 a.m. a party of the N.F.s evacuated the CROISILLES Switch Line in front of theSunken Rd occupied by the Coy. And retired to this road. This party informed us thatthe enemy was advancing and that they had to retire to conform with the retirementof troops on their right. Almost immediately after the enemy appeared on our rightflank. Lewis gun and rifle fire were opened on the enemy, but under cover of mist hegot a machine gun in position to the right of our position from where the troops onour right had retired. This machine gun enfiladed the road held by the Coy. and aposition was therefore taken by the Coy. And the 25th [2nd Tyneside Irish Battalion], across the open from thecross-road in T.17.c. (left flank) towards the CROISILLES – BOYELLES RD. The right ofthe Coy. could not reach this road as a party of the enemy had broken throughbetween the Coy. and the troops on the right. After close fighting this party withdrew,and the right flank of the Coy. reached the road, and gained touch with our troops onthe right. This was 9-30 to 10-0 a.m. small parties of the enemy made repeatedattempts to come forward under cover of mist, to establish posts and machine gunpositions in shell-holes but they were repulsed and many casualties inflicted on theenemy. A party of the enemy succeeded in cutting off the party of our troops at thecross-roads in T.17.c. where Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C. R.E. was situated. About 12-00 noontroops on our right retired to Hill Switch and in conformity with this movement 'J'Special Coy. retired with the N.F.s. to Hill Switch and the CROISILLES – BOYELLES RD.6. The Coy. was re-organised as far as possible in Hill Switch Lt W. BURT took commandand divided the Company into two Sections, one under Lt F. WOOTTON, the otherunder 2/Lt T.H. STANTON. Capt LAYCOCK was missing, and 2/Lt S.F. MOSS was by thistime wounded. 2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD had got separated from the Company collectingstragglers, and he attached himself and party to a Battn. Of Royal Scots under CaptPalmer.
7. The position in Hill Switch was occupied until 2-00 p.m. when troops on our left retiredand in conformity with the movement 'J' Special Coy. retired with the 25th [2nd Tyneside Irish Battalion], N.F.s tothe firing line Third System. The Coy was digging in on this line until ordered by the102nd Inf. Bde. to take up position behind the railway in T.30.d. the Guards taking over the firing line, Third System.8. The Coy. was relieved on the morning of the 23rd March and proceeded to MOYENVILLE.9. CasualtiesOfficers Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C. R.E. Missing2/Lt B.F. MOSS M.M. R.E. Wounded(Bullet wound in stomach)2/Lt T.H. STANTON R.E. Wounded(Bullet wound in ear, remaining at duty)Other Ranks 7 Killed4 Wounded and Missing19 Wounded24 Missing(agd) W.BURT. LT.25-3-18. for O.C. 'J' S
Captain C. Laycock M.C. was captured on this day and was a Prisoner of War. When he was repatriated, he had to write a report describing his capture and the events that day. see Attached transcript.
*Arthur's medal card has an incorrect number. Durham Light Infantry service number was 21203, Yet his medal card reads 12363. There is no Teasdale with the service number 12363.
A remembrance notice was included in Blaydon Courier 02/04/1921:In loving memory of Corpl. Arthur Teasdale, of Consett, killed in action on March 22nd 1918. 'We cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see, But all is well that's done by Thee'. Ever remembered by his two pals, Alf. And Tommy.
Thomas Arthur Teasdale was killed on the 22nd March 1918.
Arthur's parents applied for a Dependent's pension and they were awarded from the 21st September 1918, 11s 6d a week which commenced from the 8th October 1918. In 1939, they were still residing at 10 Station Terrace, Consett, Consett.
Acknowledgments: Judith
Thomas Arthur Teasdale is remembered at Consett on C101.01 and C101.18 and at Leadgate on L65.07.
The CWGC entry for 2nd Corporal Teasdale
