Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial 2016
Craghead St. Thomas
Craghead St Thomas
In Craghead (St. Thomas) Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:-
In
loving memory of
Hannah
Beloved wife of
William Dyson
Black House Craghead who died
19 April 1908 aged 42 years
Also the above William Dyson
who died
3rd Sept. 1911 aged 53 years
Also Thomas
son of the above
Lance Corpl. N.F.
who was killed in action
12 April 1918 aged 28 years
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Dyson was the only son of William Dyson 1858 Tanfield Lea and his wife Hannah Jefferson 1866 of Holmside, Durham, they married in the district of Chester Le Street, March 1888. Margaret their daughter was born in 1888 at Holmside, Thomas was born in Burnopfield 1890. His father was the publican at the Blackhouse Inn, Edmondsley until his retirement when the family went to live at Blackhouse No 6 Dyson Buildings. In 1911 Thomas was working at the colliery as a labourer above ground.
Thomas enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne on November 16th 1914, as Private 867 assigned to the 23rd Battalion, 4th Tyneside Scottish, Northumberland Fusiliers, a Pals battalion. They moved to Alnwick in June 1915 coming under the orders of the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. In August they were mobilised coming under the orders of the War Office, were moved to Salisbury Plain by the end of the month and landed in France January 1916. Due to the heavy casualties suffered at La Boiselle July 1st 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the Brigade was transferred and attached to the 37th until August 1916. Once returned to the 34th Division they took part in the Battle of Arras 1917 and the First Battle of the Somme March 21st to April 5th 1918. During the Battle of Lys, April 9th to April 29th, part of the Fourth Battle of Ypres, having risen through the ranks, the now Lance Corporal 867 Thomas Dyson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, given as France or Belgium, April 8/20th 1918. He was 28 years old and single.
His sacrifice is recorded on panel 2 of the Ploegsteert Memorial, south of Ypres in Belgium.
His sister was listed as sole beneficiary, his mother having died in 1908 and his father in July 1911. Margaret received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The Dyson family headstone in St Thomas Churchyard mentions Thomas’s sacrifice with the words, “Also Thomas son of the above Lance Corporal N. F. who was killed in action 12 April 1918 aged 28 years”, this date is in contrast to official documents. The U. K. Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects gives the date between 8th - 20th April 1918, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have opted for and state the 20th April 1918. This discrepancy is born from the fact that midst the confusion of battle his exact place and date of death could not be pin pointed; his absence would have been noticed at the first opportunity to have a roll call.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Dyson is remembered at Craghead on C120.01and C120.04
