Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Ellison was born 1877, at Brown’s Buildings, Birtley, the eldest son and one of 12 children, born to James Ellison 1853 and Margaret Elliot 1856 of Eighteen Banks, of whom only 6 survived, 5 boys and 1 girl. His parents were married December 1875 in the district of Chester le Street, in 1881 they were living at Pelaw Grange where James was working as a coal miner. In 1891 they can be found living at Brown’s Buildings in Birtley, James still worked as a shifter, Richard now 13 years old also worked as a coal miner, the family eventually moved to 12 Railway Street, Craghead. Richard married Lily Keers of Stanley, in the district of Lanchester, December 1901, they had three children, Julia 1902, Tom 1904 and Victor 1908 and lived at 41 Standerton Terrace, Craghead.
Richard enlisted February 19th 1915 and was assigned as Deal/3503 (S) Royal Marines Medical Unit, 63rd Royal Navy Division. He served in Turkey during the Gallipoli Campaign and rose to the rank of Corporal.
Corporal 3503 Richard Ellison R. M. Medical Unit R. N. D. died of disease July 7th 1915, he was 38 years old. His actual place of burial is unknown, in the Skew Bridge Cemetery, near Helles, Turkey, he is listed on a special memorial A 39 as one of the casualties known or believed to be buried there.
His widow Lily received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and the three children and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
News of his death was not to be the only bad news for the Ellison family, only 6 days later, July 13th 1915, his youngest brother AB Lancelot Ellison Royal Navy Volunteer Division was killed during the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey.
His father James Ellison died September 1917, his mother Margaret in 1921.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Ellison is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 and in Gateshead on G39.030
