Daniel Hart Pendleton, one of 8 known children was the 2nd born of 4 sons, he had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Richard Pendleton born 1843 at Haddington, Shetland, Scotland was brought as a child to Alnwick, Northumberland, where he met a local girl Jane Hart, born 1845, whom he married, October 8th 1861 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. In the census of 1871, listed in error as Robert Pendleton, he and his wife and children, Hugh 1864, Mary Ann 1867 and Annie 1871, were living at Buckingham Street, Westgate, Newcastle, where he was a shoemaker. Between 1871 and 1878 they moved to Tyne Dock, South Shields where Daniel and Henry Hart were born in 1878 and 1880 respectively. In the census of 1881, at 3, Marshall’s Buildings, the entire family is listed in error under the surname Hart, having been given to all of their children as a middle name. Before moving to Kells Buildings, Kyo, County Durham they had a further 3 children, Richard born 1885, Isabella 1887 and Ellen 1892. Richard continued to ply his trade as a shoemaker until they transferred to Greencroft, near Annfield Plain where he was employed with Henry (21) at South Pontop Colliery. Richard Pendleton died in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1904 aged 61 years.

Daniel Hart Pendleton was married in the district of Lanchester in 1902 to Matilda Applegarth born 1882 at Consett, County Durham and with whom he had 6 children, George Richard 1903, Lydia 1905, Henry known as Harry 1907, Robert 1909, 1 deceased, gender unknown by 1911 and Matilda Mary in 1912. In 1911 they were living at 7, East View Terrace, South Pontop, Annfield Plain where he was employed at the colliery as a coal miner/hewer.

On the outbreak of war in 1914 Daniel Hart Pendleton and his brother Henry left their employment as miners at South Pontop Colliery and were one of the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, assigned as Private 335 and 334 Northumberland Fusiliers joining their regiment at their barracks and transferred to the 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion formed mainly from men of Scottish decent. They initially trained at Newcastle before moving to Alnwick camp in the grounds of Alnwick castle January 29th 1915. June 1915 they transferred to Ripon, Yorkshire where the battalion was attached to the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. As part of the British Expeditionary Force they departed to France in January 1916 and concentrated near La Crosse, east of St. Omer. After a period of trench familiarisation they were moved to the Somme in preparation for the forthcoming offensive due to commence June 29th 1916, which because of bad weather did not take place until July 1st 1916. At 7.28 a.m. July 1st 1916 two huge mines were detonated in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines, one to the north, the other to the south of the village of La Boisselle, near Albert. The 20th Battalion had 500 yards to cross under machine gun fire before reaching the German lines, 26 Officers and 564 men lost their lives, they successfully captured Scots and Sausage Redoubts.

Daniel’s brother Private 335 Henry Hart Pendletonwas killed in action July 1st 1916. Although the 20th Battalion remained on the Somme they did not take part in any other major battle, In 1917 they fought during the 1st and 2nd Battle of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux, phases of the Battle of Arras, April 9th-May 16th 1917, in August they fought at Hargicourt, in October during the 3rd Battle of Ypres at Broenbeek in Belgium. In 1918 they saw action at the Battle of St. Quentin before returning to Flanders during the Battle of Estaires, Bailleul and Kemmel Ridge during the Battle of the Lys sustaining heavy casualties. The 34th Division was withdrawn April 21st 1918 and moved to Poperinge near Ypres in Belgium digging trenches for a new defence line between Abele and Waltou. By May 13th they had been reduced to cadre strength near Lumbers and were employed in the training of the newly arrived American troops.

By the end of July 1918 they had received reinforcements and returned to battle strength saw action during the Battle of Soissonais, Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance to Victory and at the Armistice were at rest near Courtrai in Belgium.

The 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and moved towards Germany November 14th 1918. Private 334 Daniel Pendleton was amongst a large number of men with industrial and mining skills that were chosen to be demobilised under Kings Regulations 392 (xxv), “his service no longer being required.” Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His brother Richard also served and survived the Great War.

Daniel Hart Pendleton aged 72 years in 1950, his death was preceded by that of his wife Matilda Pendleton nee Applegarth in 1946 aged 61 years, both registered at Durham N. W.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Daniel Pendleton's service is remembered at Greencroft in the Ritson Roll of Honour G54.02