Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ernest Fallon was born at Bishop Auckland, in 1894 and lived with 3 other siblings, Esther 1891, Daniel 1898 and Frances Ann 1901 with his grandparents, William and Mary Fallon at 54, North Terrace, Brandon and Byshottles. His grandfather was employed as a coal hewer and still had children of his own living at home, Bridget (27) and her daughter Frances (1), Timothy (21), William (19), James (17) who were also employed at the colliery, Ellen (14), Thomas (10), Ernest (7) and Daniel (3), also widower and retired miner 76-year-old Jonathan Lloyd listed as a relative. In 1907 William Fallon died aged 65, his eldest son William became head of the family. He was now married with 2 children living at 121, School Street, Oakenshaw. He also supported his widowed mother. Living with him were his brothers James and Thomas, his nephew Ernest, now employed as a coal hewer, his siblings and lodger Michael Moran, a coal shifter.
During the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1914 Ernest married in the district of Lanchester Sarah Ann Hunter, their daughter Sarah Ann was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1914. After the declaration of war he enlisted at Durham, assigned as Private 3238 Durham Light Infantry to the 1st/8th Battalion which had been formed in 1908 from the 4th Volunteer Battalion and sent initially to the coastal defences between Roker and Whitburn.
He was amongst the main body of men from the battalion that departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915 landing in France and within days was fighting in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium where the battalion stayed until August 1916 as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division.
Ernest was killed in action June 26th 1915 less than 10 weeks after his arrival on the Western Front. His sacrifice is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. He was 30 years of age.
His widow Sarah Ann received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at their home address, also a pension for herself and their child until she married at Wigton, Cumberland in 1918, George T. Mitchell. She and George had 2 children together James born at Lanchester in 1920 and George T. Mitchell Jnr 1923 at Wigton.
James and Sarah’s daughter Sarah Ann died in the district of Lanchester in 1929 aged 14 years. Details of Sarah Ann Mitchell-Fallon nee Hunter unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
In a newspaper article about the unveiling of the memorial at the RC church at Lanchester, Ernest is listed as being from Hollinside (although his surname is spelled incorrectly).
Ernest Fallon is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 L62.04 and L62.07 and at Malton on M49.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 163
