Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Thurlaway was born in Craghead, date unknown. he enlisted in Newcastle, assigned to the Army Cyclist Corp., most probably the 8th Cyclist Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, as Private 10053. The A. C. C. were deployed as part of the Coastal Defences, their role was considered so important that initially none of them were sent overseas. Most of them completed their service in the United Kingdom providing replacement drafts to the infantry battalions though some were converted back to conventional infantry and saw active service. This was to be the case for Edward. He was transferred as Private 1724 to the 24th Battalion (1st Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.
The 24/25/26/27th Battalions landed in France with the 34th Division, January 1916, as preparations for the Battle of the Somme were underway. From St. Omer they were first entrained and then marched to the Western Front. They were attached in the trenches to more experienced units for training in trench warfare, considered ready they were transferred to the Somme in May 1916. They engaged the enemy during the Battle of Albert at La Boiselle, a small village that had already been totally destroyed by the shelling. It was here that Private 1724 Edward Thurlaway Northumberland Fusiliers was killed July 1st 1916.
His sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France, panel 10/11/12B. The monument commemorates the 72,246 officers and men from Britain and South Africa who perished during the Battles of the Somme between 1915 to 1918 who have no known grave.
His sister Mary Ann Lowe was his nominated beneficiary, she received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Thurlaway is remembered at Craghead on C120.01(Thirlway) C120.02 (Thirlaway) and C120.04 (Thulway)
