Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Lisle Lathan was born September 1st 1891 in the district of South Shields, one of 5 children, all boys, son of Michael Lathan of Ovingham, Northumberland, born October 20th 1857 and Lydia Featherstonhaugh born November 11th 1855 in Witton Gilbert, County Durham. Michael and Lydia were married in 1881 setting up home at 6, Avenue Terrace, Crossgate, Durham where Michael was employed as a railway booking clerk. They moved on to live in Westoe in 1891, where Lisle was born, until in 1901 they can be found living at Croft Cottages, Horsley, near Ovingham. The family remained there consisting of Lisle’s parents, his brother Vivian and himself. His father Michael continued to be employed by the North East Railway Company as a clerk, Lisle now 19 years old was a stone mason and Vivian an errand boy for an estate agent. Lisle Lathan married Annie E. Stansfield, a native of Penrith, Cumberland, in Hexham, January 1914. At the outbreak of the Great War he and his family were living in the Craghead area where his wife gave birth to a son, James Theodore Lathan, October 1st 1914.
Lisle Lathan enlisted 1914 in Stanley originally assigned as Trooper 5948 Scottish Horse Yeomanry, subsequently transferred October 1st 1916 to the Black Watch Scottish Highlanders as Private 315884, 13th Scottish Horse Yeomanry Battalion whilst on active duty in Abbassia in Egypt. They were moved to Salonika by October 21st 1916 and came under the command of the 81st Brigade, 27th Division, in June 1918 moved to France. July 15th 1918 the Battalion transferred to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division. The Division took part in the Battle of Beaurevoir in October 1918, the Battle of Cambrai, the Selle and through the southern part of the Foret de Mormal beginning November 4th 1918. Private Lathan was wounded and captured by the Germans who took him to their railhead and hospital centre at La Cateau. Private 315884 Lisle Lathan Black Watch Scottish Highlanders died of wounds, November 4th 1918, one week before the declaration of Armistice. He is interred at La Cateau Military Cemetery, grave II. B. 23, a cemetery laid out by the Germans which is divided into sections of German, Russian and Commonwealth burials. His wife paid 3 shillings and 9 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his headstone which reads, “Thy Will Be Done”. He was 27 years old.
His widow Annie received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son and his awards go the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to the address of Ridley Mill, Stocksfield, Northumberland.
Lisle’s brother Vivian Lathan also served and perished in the Great War, his mother died in Bloemfontein, Stanley, February 18th 1927, his widow may have remarried 1926 in Hexham to Seth S. Robson. Lisle and Annie’s son James Theodore Lathan died 3rd quarter 2002, in West Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Lisle Lathan is remembered at Craghead on C120.04 at Lanchester on L62.01 at Mickley on M5.04 and M5.05 and at Wylam W73.01
