19/45 Private
W. Gorse
Durham Light Infantry
15th November 1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Winskell Gorse one of 6 known children was the 2nd born of 4 sons and had 1 elder and 1 younger sister. His father Richard Gorse was born at Leigh, Lancashire, November 26th 1859 and baptised at the church of St. Paul, April 12th 1857. At the age of 14 Richard was working as a coal miner at Hendley, Lancashire, a lodger in the home of the Taylor family and had migrated to the north east by 1874 where he was married in the district of Durham to Mary Raine. Mary was born February 14th 1855 at Greencroft, however she and Richard settled at Cornsay where their daughter Hannah was born in 1876, George 1878 at Esh and Winskell in 1881 at Quebec while the family was living at 103, Close Row, his father employed as a coal miner. Ten years later they had transferred to 148, New Single Row, George (13) had joined his father at the colliery as a pony driver and Mary had given birth to a daughter Margaret Jane in 1897, sons Richard and John, 1891 and 1894 respectively. By 1901 Winskell (20) was the eldest of his siblings still living at home, now at Queen Street, Crook, and working as as coal miner. His mother Mary Gorse nee Raine died April 3rd 1908 aged 53 years. In 1911 Winskell (30) was still unmarried and lodging with James and Hannah Maitland and family at 19, Rockwell Street, Quebec. His father had remarried in 1909 to Ellen Kirsopp, native of Bishop Auckland, born 1859, they were living at 18, Dyke Street, Quebec. Richard was now a deputy at the colliery and his son John (16) a driver, also living with them was 3-year-old grandson Richard Gorse.
In 1914 Winskell was living at 182, Charles Street, Boldon, South Shields, employed as a miner. Despite his age of 32 years 2 months he had been given notice to enlist and presented himself at South Shields, February 27th 1915. After the first rush of volunteers subsided the War Office gave permission for the formation of Bantam Battalions, lowering the required height of soldiers from 5’ 3” to 5’. Having been assigned as Private 45 he joined the newly formed 19th Durham Light Infantry a Bantam Battalion, at West Hartlepool, March 1st 1915. The battalion moved to Cocken Hall in May 1915 after the departure of the 18th Battalion for the Western Front. Cocken Hall had been handed over to the war effort by the Lambton family, trenches had been dug to simulate front line conditions and also it had a firing range. One month later they moved to Masham, Yorkshire, where they were attached to the 106th Brigade, 35th Division. Final training took place at Salisbury Plain and the Division departed for the front via Southampton, January 31st 1916 entering the trenches at Neuve Chapelle, February 11th. May 9th 1916 Private Gorse was still attached to the 35th Division at their HQ in the field, preparations were underway for the Battles of the Somme, due to commence June 29th 1916 but delayed until July 1st 1916 due to bad weather. July 1st the infantry of the division entered the fighting at Longeval, however the Bantams were ordered to dig new communication and reserve trenches, under constant shell fire they suffered many casualties. At the end of August 1916 the division including the Bantams was ordered to the Arras sector where they were subjected to shelling and gas attacks and by November their numbers were greatly reduced. Private Gorse himself was taken by the 106th Field Ambulance, October 23rd 1916 to the 37th Casualty Clearing Station at Mont-Notre-Dame, in the Aisne region and the following day admitted to the 6th Stationary Hospital, Fervent, Pas de Calais then on to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. November 2nd 1916 Private Gorse was repatriated to England aboard HMHS St. Andrew, upon his arrival he was admitted to the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, November 3rd 1916.
The brief notes as regards his admission mention at the front he had been complaining of rheumatic pain in his back and that this was still the case. Although in pain he had no swollen joints, lung or stomach complaints. A telegram sent by the War Hospital, November 15th 1916, to the Records Office of the 19th Durham Light Infantry stated, “Regret to report 45 Pte Gorse W 19th D.L.I. is seriously ill. Friends have been notified.” By the time the telegram was received Private Gorse was already dead. The follow-up telegram stated, “15/11/1916 Regret No. 45 Pte W Gorse died 8pm. Friends have been notified.” Private 45 Winskell Gorse Durham Light Infantry died suddenly, his death attributed to cardiac failure and debility. He was 37 years of age and single.
His will nominated his father Richard as sole beneficiary, he received all monies due to him, his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and his effects, sent to him at 18, Dyke Street, Quebec, County Durham.
At the request of his family the deceased was transported to his home, this would have been organised by the Army but paid for by the family. Private 45 Winskell Gorse D.L.I. is at rest within Hamsteels (St John The Baptist) Churchyard, in the north east part near the church.
Although Winskell’s younger brothers would have been eligible to serve no record has been found.
Winskell’s father Richard Gorse died in the district of Lanchester March 8th 1938 aged 81 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Winskill Gorse is remembered at Quebed on Q2.05
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 317 and in The 19th DLI Roll of Honour page 6
