Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Michael was born in Spennymoor in 1891 to parents Michael and Mary Salmon. At the time of the 1911 census they had had fifteen children but sadly by this time only seven were still living. In 1901 the family were living in Belmont, Durham but by 1911 they were living at 4, West Terrace, Burnhope.
Michael married Bridget Burke in 1913 and they lived in Rowlands Gill.
Michael enlisted at Stanley into the Durham Light Infantry on 25 September 1914 but transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment in October 1914. He embarked for France on 9th September 1915, landing the same day. In November 1915 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and in March 1916 he was further promoted to Serjeant.
He sustained a gun-shot wound to the leg in July 1916 and at some point was on HMHS Lanfranc, an ocean liner requisitioned as a hospital ship. In October 1916 he was in a hospital in Manchester.
Like many soldiers his conduct sheet was not free from blemishes. On several occasions Michael was absent without permission (including 6 days from the hospital) or overstayed his pass for which he was reprimanded, fined or punished (eg being confined to barracks).
On 16th March 1917 Michael was posted to the 8th Battalion, joining his unit in the field on 4th April 1917. He was wounded and was missing. Eventually his death was accepted with the date of death assumed to have been the 5th May 1917. His body was never found and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Michael’s service record indicates that his next of kin resided at 26 Highfield Terrace, Rowlands Gill. Bridget was awarded a widow’s pension, by which time her address was 31 Cowen Terrace, Rowlands Gill but when the Commonwealth War Graves certificate was written her address was 31, Lilly Terrace, Rowlands Gill.
Awards: 1915 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Michael’s younger brother, Wilfred also served and died in WW1.
Michael Salmon is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 and L62.07 at Burnhope on B153.01, B153.03, B153.05 and B153.09
