Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Lockie was born June 1st 1894 in Hebburn, Durham, one of 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daughters of whom 1 son died at the age of 1 year, born to William Alexander Lockie 1865 a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Rose Ann Milligan 1865 of Willington Quay, Durham. William and Rose met whilst living in the Elswick area of Newcastle and were married March 1891 in South Shields, in 1901 they were living at 150 Staffordshire Street, Witton Gilbert where William was employed as a coal miner-hewer. By 1911 they had moved to 2 Kimberley Terrace, Craghead, William was still employed as a miner but now worked as a stone man, James who was 16 years old was employed as a driver. James and his father were the only two men of the household and subsidised their income by having taken in a boarder, John Moran, a miner-hewer.
James Lockie enlisted at the outbreak of the Great War in Stanley, County Durham. Assigned as Private 24236 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Battalion, attached to the 5th Division. After initial training in England he arrived in France as part of the 14th Brigade, 5th Division December 9th 1915 and soon after was transferred to the 96th Brigade 32nd Division. The 2nd Inniskillings did not see action immediately and on New Year's Day 1916 played a football match with the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers in the intracompany matches. That day was a, “holiday,” and they even had a special dinner. Soon after they were sent to the Western Front where the 32nd Division stayed for the remainder of the war. They saw action on the Somme, July 1st-13th 1916 the 2nd Battalion R. I. F. participated in the Battle of Albert and the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th 1916. During this last battle Private Lockie was wounded and taken by field ambulance to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station near Puchevillers.
Private 24236 James Lockie Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers died of wounds July 19th 1916, he was 21 years old and single. He is interred at Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme, France, grave I. F. 41 His father and mother each received a part of the monies owed to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal which were sent to them at the address of 2, Holmside Terrace, Craghead, County Durham.
William Alexander Lockie who died at 38, Telford Street, Gateshead, October 31st 1942 was preceded by his wife Rose Ann in 1939 in Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Lockie is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
