Chester-le-Street Chronicle 1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Norman Silk was born 1892 in Widnes, Lancashire, one of 2 known children born to Thomas Silk 1860 Warrington, Lancashire and his wife Ellen Varden whom he married September 1888 in the district of Stockport, Lancashire. The Silk family migrated to the north east and in 1911 widower Thomas and his sons can be found living as boarders with the widow Isabella Linskey and family at 7 Blanford Street, Dean Bank, Ferryhill, County Durham. Thomas Silk was working as a labourer, Norman a putter and John his brother as a pony driver below ground.
Norman Silk enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1915 as Private 34597 Northumberland Fusiliers assigned to the newly formed 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion. After initial training at home they joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and later moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. Just prior to his embarkation to France in January 1916 he married Ellen Traynor in the district of Lanchester. Upon its arrival in France the Division concentrated at La Crosse, near St. Omer before being sent to the Somme where they took part, July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme in the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, followed by the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, and Flers-Courcelette. The 27th Battalion saw action in 1917 during the Arras Offensive, April 9th to May 4th, at the Battle of the Scarpe. During his service he rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal. Gassed and wounded during this battle Lance Corporal 34597 Norman Silk Northumberland Fusiliers was taken by Field Ambulance to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds, May 1st 1917. He was 25 years old. Lance Corporal Silk is interred at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France, grave II. J. 80.
His widow Ellen received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at the address of 58, Thomas Street, Craghead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Norman Silk is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
