Thomas Anthony left, William Norman right.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following

William Norman Weatherald, one of 6 known children, was the eldest of 3 brothers and had 3 elder sisters. His father William Weatherald, native of Tow Law, County Durham born 1857 married in the district of Weardale, County Durham in 1886 to Agnes Emma Roberts. Agnes was born at Madeley, Shropshire in 1864 and brought to the north east by her parents who by 1871 had settled in Jarrow, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The couple settled at Castleside, Consett, County Durham, where William was employed by the railways as a plate layer, their daughter Agnes Gertrude was born there, April 20th 1889. In 1891 he was living at Castleside alone whilst his wife had moved in with her parents and siblings at 88, Grange Road, Jarrow, (erroneously listed as Agnes E. Roberts) with the infant Agnes (1). It was here in late 1891 that daughter Lizzie was born but they had returned to Castleside for the birth of Mary Lilian in 1892. Over the next 7 years Agnes gave birth to 3 sons, William Norman 1895, Thomas Anthony 1896 and George May 11th 1899. Sadly, William Weatherald of 20, Front Street, Castleside, died during the 3rd quarter 1900 aged 44 years, leaving his widow with the responsibility of their young children. In the census of 1901 she is listed with all her children, however, there is no mention of her being employed. Agnes eventually found employment with the railways as a caretaker, supporting her 2 daughters with the help of her sons. William Norman (16) working above ground at Auckland Park Colliery as a labourer, Thomas Anthony (14) worked as a laundry van boy for the Hartlepool Electric Laundry, George (11) attended school and was also an errand boy for a local green grocer, Mr Bradley. The family had also taken into their home as a boarder, coach painter, 25-year-old, Arthur Wright King of Bishop Auckland who went on to marry her daughter Agnes Gertrude in 1914.

The service record of this soldier has not been found. William enlisted at Consett and was assigned as Private 11402 to the Royal Army Medical Corps 1/1st (West Riding), attached to the 146th Brigade, 49th West Riding Division. Private Weatherald departed as of January 1916, wherever the division went the R.A.M.C Field Ambulance was never more than 600 yards behind the Regimental Aid Posts in the front line. The 49th Division did not see much major action and held a quiet sector at the beginning of 1916, however, they moved to the Somme for the opining battle at Albert. The Battle of Albert due to commence June 29th was delayed by bad weather until July 1st and raged until July 13th, followed by the battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th. With a change of commanding officer and assigned to the II Corps they did not see front line acton until the Battle of Pozzieres, July 23rd-September 3rd when they were given a period of rest during August before joining the closing battles at Fleurs-Courcelette, September 15th-23rd and Thiepval, 26th-28th. The division was moved to the Ypres salient in 1917 and again to a quiet sector until participating during the final stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 it was again holding a quiet sector until the latter half of the year when it fought in all the major battles of the Lys offensive and the 100 Days Offensive until the Armistice of November 11th 1918.

Private 11502 William Norman Weatherald 1/1st (West Riding) Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C. was killed in action, August 8th 1918. August 20th 1919 at map reference A. 30. a. 7. 3. was found a cross with the details of Private Weatherald, however no remains were found, the cross was removed to Duhallow Cemetery, where it would have been burnt and the ashes mixed into the soil within the cemetery.

His sacrifice is recorded as one of 35,003 names inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, which forms the backdrop to Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, in Belgium. It commemorates men from Britain and New Zealand who have no known grave and were killed on the Ypres salient between August 17th 1917 until the Armistice. He was 23 years of age and single.

His mother Agnes received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 18, Ravensworth Avenue, Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

William’s brother Thomas Anthony Weatherald also enlisted in the Army but was discharged within days as he was below the required height to serve of 5 feet 3 inches at just over 5 feet tall. After his marriage, he and his wife emigrated to Australia.

Agnes Emma Weathered nee Roberts died in 1942, registered at Ripon, Yorkshire, aged 79 years.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace

William Martin Weatherald is remembered at Bishop Auckland on B140.12, B140.27 at South Church on S144.01 and at St. Helen Auckland on S145.01 and as Wm. Norman Weatheral at Castleside on C113.01

The CWGC entry for Private Weatherald