Private Bamborough
Mrs Bamborough and her son
Thiepval Memorial
D.L.I. Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Bamborough was born 1886 in Chester le Street, County Durham the eldest of 5 sons born to William Bamborough 1858 Pelton Fell, County Durham and Ellen Carr 1867 Chester le Street, County Durham. William worked as a coal hewer as did Thomas. In 1911 the family was living in Craghead, that same year, September 30th, in Lanchester, Thomas married Dorothy Coulson. Two years later Dorothy gave birth to a son, Thomas.
Thomas Bamborough enlisted in Chester le Street, September 19th 1914 and declared he was living at 49 East Street, Grange Villa. He was assigned as Private 18077 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. It was not until August 25th 1915 that he was posted to France, landing at Boulogne. The division were involved in the Battle of Loos and at the end of January 1916 they were at Bruay for a period of rest. March 3rd they were back in the front line, later that month a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a mining background were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers but returned to their unit mid-April and again had a period of rest, after which the intensive training began for the Battles of the Somme. The Battles of the Somme began July 1st 1916 and the 12th Battalion D. L. I. was involved in the Battle of Albert 1st-13th, followed by the Battles of Bazentin Ridge 14th-17th 1916.
Private 18077 Thomas Bamborough, 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was reported as missing, July 17th 1916, presumed dead. His wife was informed but had to wait until January 16th 1917 for the War Office to officially declare him dead.
Private Bamborough was awarded the Military Medal, a medal for bravery in battle on land. He was killed in action July 17th 1916, aged 30. His sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Pier 14A and 15C, which commemorates the 79,195 British and South African servicemen, who perished in the Battles of the Somme, First World War between 1915 and 1918 with no known grave.
His widow Dorothy received as of March 19th 1917 a pension for herself and their son Thomas and later his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 08/02/1918 reports that on Thursday last at the Miners Hall Craghead, Mrs Bamborough of 49 East Street Grange Villa was presented with the Military Medal which had been won by her husband Private T Bamborough D.L.I. on July 6th 1916. Mr H. Greener made the presentation and Mr Kublam manager of Craghead Colliery made some remarks. Private Bamborough did not long survive his gallant deed as he was killed on the 17th day of the same month.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Bamborough is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and at West Pelton W112.01
His name is in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance kept in the DLI Memorial Chapel Durham Cathedral D47.013
