CLS Chronicle 08/09/1916
Thiepval Memorial
D.L.I. Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Hunt was born 1892 in Edmondsley, County Durham, one of 5 known children. In 1911, at the age of 19, he and his youngest sister Annie can be found living with his aunt and uncle, Thomas and Sarah Ann Puncheon, at 38 Standerton Terrace, Craghead, he was working as a coal miner-stoneman, parents deceased.
William enlisted in Stanley, September 7th 1914, assigned as Private 19628 Durham Light Infantry to the 12th Battalion. The 12th was attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division and moved to Aldershot in November and by February 1915 could be found at Willisborough and finally at Bramshott by May. Mobilised August 24th 1915 they departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force, landing in France, August 25th, at Boulogne. On its arrival in France the division was concentrated near St. Omer and continued training until mid September when it took over part of the front line in the nursery sector of Armentieres. They remained in the area until being relieved in late February by the 34th Division and after a short rest was sent to the front near Souchez, south of Lens until mid June, having been relieved the division was in reserve at Rainneville behind the Somme front. Ordered to relieve the 34th Division the 23rd entered the Somme Battle July 3rd and advanced towards Contalmaison. It was during this advance that Private 19628 William Hunt Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, July 6th 1916.
William Hunt has no known grave, his sacrifice, along with 72,246 servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa, who died on the Somme, is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France, panel 14A and 15C. He was 22 years old and single.
His brother John forfeited all rights to any money or pension entitlement in favour of his sisters, Mrs Mary Armstrong and Mrs Elizabeth Ann Powney. His awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his sister Mrs Mary Armstrong at 5, Peter Street, Altrincham, Cheshire.
William's brother John Hunt also served in the Great War enlisting May 1st 1915 initially as Private 4028 Durham Light Infantry, 9th Battalion, later transferred as Private 245083 Durham Light Infantry to the 3rd Battalion. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Military Medal, awarded for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire on land. Private 245083 John Hunt M. M. was discharged under King’s Regulations 392 (XVI) as no longer physically fit for service March 16th 1919 and returned to his employment as a miner at Hamsterley Colliery.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Hunt is remembered at Craghead on C120.01, C120.02, C120.04, C120.07. There is both a W. Hunt and a J. Hunt on the Roll of Honour of those serving at Hamsterley Colliery H140.03
William's name is in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance D47.013
