Chester-le-Street Chronicle 1916
Lancaster brother' headstone
A headstone in St. Thomas' Churchyard Craghead reads:-
In loving memory of
Lance Cpl. J Lancaster
Who was killed in action
1st July 1916 aged 32 years
Also of Pte. A. Lancaster
Who was killed in action
29th April 1917 aged 24 years
Also of
Lance Cpl. C Lancaster
Who died from wounds
12th April 1918 aged 20 years
Sons of
William & Esther Lancaster
Also their grandson William
Who died 17th February 1916
Aged 2 years
They are gone bur not forgotten
Remembered by their Father Mother
Brothers & Sister
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Lancaster was born 1885 in Craghead, Stanley, one of 7 children, 5 boys and 2 deceased (gender unknown), born to William Lancaster 1860 Durham and Esther Beatrice White 1858 Stanton, Gloucester. They were married July 13th 1884 in the parish of St. Mary-The-Less, St. Oswells, Durham City where they resided for several years at 19, Church Street Head, Elvet, later moving to 11 Beechgrove Terrace, Edmondsley. William Lancaster worked as a coal miner and in 1911 was living at Front Street, Craghead, his sons still living at home were also employed at the colliery with the exception of Charles who was a butcher at the Coop. James Lancaster had married Frances Lilian Stone, born 1891 in Crook, September 1909 in the district of Lanchester, he was living with his in-laws at 44 Kimberley Terrace Craghead. It is possible they may have had a son William born 1913 who died in 1917.
James Lancaster enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne during November 1914 assigned as Private 406 Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish), 26th Battalion. During his service he rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal. In March 1915 they moved to Woolsington and together with the 24th,25th and 27th formed the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. The Division was taken over by the War Office August 27th 1915, moved to Salisbury Plain at the end of the month and crossed to France in January 1916 landing at Boulogne as part of the British Expeditionary Force. They were concentrated east of St Omer and were moved by train and march to the front seeing action for the first time during the defence of La Boiselle on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Lance Corporal 406 James Lancaster was killed in action July 1st 1916. He was buried on the battlefield by his comrades, his remains were later identified by means of a disc, his body was taken along with a further 3 British and 2 Australian unidentified servicemen for reburial at Serre Road Cemetery No2, Somme, France, September 30th 1931, grave XL. J. 6. The cemetery was not completed until 1934.
His widow Francis Lilian received money owed to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His father-in-law received 3 pound and 10 shilling and a Robert Hunt 3 pounds.
Three of his brothers also served. Private 1046 ArthurLancaster serving in the 26th Northumberland Fusiliers died April 29th 1917, Lance Corporal 267367 Charles Lancaster 1st/6th Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds April 12th 1918 and John William Lancaster.
William Lancaster died in 1945 preceded by his wife Esther in 1940
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Lancaster is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
