Photo: Dorothy Hall
Thomas and John Edward Bewick
Mechanical Transport Steam Coy A.S.C.
Son of Thomas and Margaret Bewick, of 21, Oxford St., Whitley Bay, Northumberland; husband of Maggie Bewick. Native of Ebchester, Co. Durham.
Inscription
Greater Love Hath No Man Than This
In St. Ebba's Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
Margaret
beloved wife of
Thomas Bewick
At Rest Oct. 9th 1927
Aged 68 years
Thomas
beloved husband of the above
At Rest Oct. 25th 1940
Aged 79 years
Also John Edward, their son
A.S.C.
At Rest in France November 11th 1918
aged 28 years.
Also Margaret Hannah
Their daughter
At Rest March 2nd 1897
Aged 2 years
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Edward Bewick was an only son and the eldest of his siblings. His father Thomas Bewick born, March 30th 1861, Eastgate, Weardale, County Durham, was married, May 17th 1887, in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, to Margaret Walton, born 1859, South Wingate, also in County Durham. They settled at Hylton Castle where John Edward was born, August 20th 1889 as was his sister Sarah Elizabeth, June 22nd 1891, whilst they were living at Road Side in the village of Hylton where their father was employed as an agricultural labourer. Over the next 10 years Margaret gave birth to a further 2 children Dorothy May in 1893 and Margaret Hannah 1895 who sadly died, March 2nd 1897, 2 years of age, her death registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham, however by 1901 the Bewick family had moved to the village of Ponteland, Northumberland. Thomas Bewick was now employed as a carter for Miller and Hind, James Edward (11), Sarah Elizabeth (9) and Dorothy May (7) attended school. By 1911 Thomas with the help of his son had created his own business, Thomas Bewick and Son, Furniture Removers, Hamsterley Colliery. His family were living in 5 rooms at Woodside House, Hamsterley Colliery, although in the census of 1911 the address is listed as Ebchester. Living with them at Woodside House were Thomas and Margaret’s nephew and niece, Henry Hayes (24), who was employed by him as a carrier, Eva Hayes (20) assisted her aunt with the up-keep of the household.
John Edward was married in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, in 1915 to Margaret Harrison, born January 15th 1893, in the district of Consett, known affectionately as Maggie. Whether this was prior to or after he had enlisted it is not known as records available do not give any insight. He enlisted at Consett where he was assigned as Private M/333574 to the Mechanical Transport 60th Auxiliary Steam Coy, of the Army Service Corps, which operated similar vehicles as that belonging to his father. He and Maggie became parents, July 16th 1916, when their daughter Margaret Edith was born, by which time it is highly probable that Private Bewick had already departed for the front.
All Mechanical Transport Companies were part of the Lines of Communication and not attached to any Division, in the absence of his military record it is therefore impossible to know Private Bewick’s exact movements.
Whilst on active service, having reported as sick, he was evacuated back through the lines until being transported to Rouen, a base supply depot, the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters and also a hospital centre for Commonwealth troops, where he was admitted to the 5th General Hospital. Private M/333574 John Edward Bewick Army Service Corps was most unfortunate as he died of broncho pneumonia, November 11th 1918, the very day that the Armistice was declared with Germany. He was interred in the town cemetery at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, grave S II. GG. 15, he was 29 years old. The extension was begun as of September 1916 due to the number of casualties from the surrounding hospitals.
His widow Maggie received all monies due to him from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, also a pension as his illness was attributed to his active service. She received the sum of 20 shillings 5 pence a week as of May 16th 1919 for herself and their daughter until Margaret Edith reached the age of 16, July 16th 1933, sent to her at Rose Cottage, North View, Hamsterley Colliery, County Durham.
John Edward’s mother Margaret Bewick nee Walton (68) died, October 9th 1927, registered at Castle Ward, Northumberland. Widower and retired farm hand and transport carrier Thomas Bewick was living at 4, Front Street, Castleside, County Durham, in 1939, he died, October 25th 1940. Effects in the sum of £206 were assigned to his married daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Oliver, wife of Dickinson Oliver and Dorothy May Harrison, wife of Thomas Harrison. Having lost his son and heir with his death this branch of the Bewick family ceased to exist.
John Edward and Maggie’s daughter Margaret Edith Bewick was married in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in 1943, to Robert Ayres, born February 1st 1916, Devonport, Devon son of George Ayres and Euphemia Haggerston Davison, who had migrated to the north east, settling in Northumberland. They had two sons Ian born in 1944 and George 1945.
Margaret Edith Ayres nee Bewick (51) died January 21st 1968 at Hunter’s Moor, Robert Ayres (71), May 28th 1995, Cowgate, both in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
Further details of John Edwards wife, Maggie Bewick nee Harrison as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The Blaydon Courier 12/11/1921 carries two In Memoriam notices:
"In ever loving memory of our son, Pte. John Edward Bewick, A.S.C., died in Rouen, France, Nov.11th, 1918. A silent thought, a silent tear, today brings our loved one very near. From his loving father and mother, sisters and son-in-law".
The second one reads:
"In loving remembrance of my dear husband, John Edward Bewick, who died at 5th General Hospital, Rouen, Nov. 11th, 1918. Ever remembered by his wife and child."
John Edward Bewick is remembered at Ebchester on E58.01
