Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Josiah Scaife was born May 24th 1896 in Shildon, County Durham, one of 6 children, 3 boys, 2 girls and 1 deceased (gender unknown) born to William Scaife a coal miner born 1865 in Mickleton, Yorkshire and his first wife Elizabeth. William remarried after his wife’s death in June 1909 in the district of Lanchester to Mary Embleton 1887 from Marsden, County Durham with whom he had a further 2 children, a boy and a girl. At the age of 14 Josiah was working as a pony driver for Hedley Coal Company, his father also as a hewer, the family were living at 34 Bloemfontein Terrace, Craghead.
Josiah Scaife enlisted May 24th 1915 and was assigned as Able Seaman Z/4651 Hawke Battalion Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. he was drafted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force December 5th 1915 and joined his battalion at Mundros February 7th 1916 where it was engaged in the Gallipoli Campaign. Whilst in Gallipoli he was transferred May 29th to the 2nd Brigade Machine Gun Company. Whilst with them he was wounded but returned to his unit the same day. By the end of December 1916 all British troops had been withdrawn from Gallipoli and posted to France, Josiah was drafted to the 189th Brigade Machine Gun Company.
Able Seaman Josiah Scaife R. N. V. R. was wounded April 4th 1917, gunshot wounds to the right arm and abdomen. Taken by the Field Ambulance to the 22nd General Hospital Camiers, he died 17 days later, May 11th 1917 at 8.40 p.m. and is interred at Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XVIII. M. 9A. He was 21 years old and single.
His father, living at 12 Bloemfontein Terrace, Craghead, County Durham, as his next of kin received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Josiah Scaife is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 C120.02 and C120.04
