Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Peter Ditchburn Jnr, one of 6 children, all of whom survived, was the 3rd born of 5 brothers and had 1 sister. His father Peter Ditchburn Snr born at Wingate, County Durham, July 6th 1848 married in the district of Sunderland in 1871 to Hannah Armstrong, native of Weardale born 1853. They moved extensively in order for Richard Snr to find work, in 1873 they were living at Ryton where John was born, Edward was born September 27th 1873 at Monk Hesledon, Easington, two years later in 1876 daughter Elizabeth at Ferryhill, Peter Jnr at Castle Eden in 1880. They were living at 31, Tunstall Street, Ryhope Colliery by 1881, where Peter Snr was employed as a an engiineman. their younger sons, Robert and Anthony were born at Silksworth, near Sunderland, County Durham, in 1883 and 1884 respectively. By 1891 the family were living to High Row, Hamsteels, John (18) and Robert (17) were employed as a joiner and a mason at the colliery along with their father, still an engineman, whilst their younger siblings with the exception of Elizabeth were scholars. Having moved to 18, High Street by 1901, their elder children had left home, Peter (21) was a stationary engineman, both Robert (18) and Anthony (16) were blacksmiths at the colliery.
Whilst maintaining his employment at Hamsteels Colliery Peter enlisted in what had been the old Durham Militia, March 8th 1904 as Private 563. The Militia was now known as the 3rd and 4th Durham Light Infantry, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion at Barnard Castle. In 1907 he was married to Martha Eleanor Thompson born at Tow Law, County Durham, January 28th 1883 setting up home at 8, Heppleton Street. He re-enlisted year on year until March 8th 1908 when changes were again made to the battalions of the D.L.I. April 14th 1908 he joined the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, a Territorial Force formed from the old 4th Battalion. The battalion’s HQ was at Durham with 8 companies at drill halls in Beamish, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, Hamsteels, Stanley, Washington and Gilesgate, participating at their annual camp as part of the Army Reserve. When war was declared with Germany, August 4th 1914 he was mobilised and having risen through the ranks to Sergeant was at Clacton-on-Sea, June 22nd 1916, attached to the 23rd Battalion. Made up of men transferred from various D.L.I. Battalions including Bantams, he signed yet another General Service Obligation document accepting the liability during his present period of embodiment to serve, “Any place outside the United Kingdom and to be transferred to another corps…which may be different from that in which I am serving.” He posted as Sergeant 277228 to the 3rd/8th Battalion July 7th 1916, which having amalgamated with the 3/5th, 3/6th, 3/7th and 3/9th became known as the 5th Reserve Battalion as of August 1916. The 5th Reserve moved to Catterick and between late 1916 and 1918 trained and provided men for the draft.
Sergeant Ditchburn departed to France, November 13th 1916, arriving at the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples where he remained before posting to the 1st/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, November 29th 1916, joining his regiment in the field. The 1st/7th was a Pioneer Battalion attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, engaged in digging and repairing trenches and moving supplies, fighting as infantry as and when required. During 1916 they were on the Somme before moving to the Arras sector in France and Passchendaele, Belgium, during 1917. When the Germans attached on the Somme front, March 21st 1918, the division was rushed from Belgium to the sector but forced to retreat despite the Pioneers being used as infantrymen, which they did again during April and May 1918.
Sergeant 277228 Peter Ditchburn Durham Light Infantry was reported as missing whilst his battalion was engaging the enemy in the Aisne sector, late May 1918. His wife was informed and after extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was struck off, due to lapse of time, presumed to have died on or since May 25th 1918. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 3,812 names inscribed on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France, which commemorates men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battle of Aisne and the Marne in 1918 who have no known grave. Sergeant Ditchburn was 38 years of age.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension of 22 shillings 11 pence a week as of January 27th 1919 for herself and their only child Sarah Eleanor, born at Hamsteels, district of Lanchester in 1910. His award of the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (June 26th 1911 Transport Certificate), British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her at 3, Cambridge Terrace, Heighington, County Durham, having moved firstly to 10, East Street, prior to Peter’s departure for the front.
Martha Eleanor married for a second time in 1925 to Walter Moore, Martha Eleanor Moore Ditchburn nee Thompson died aged 90 years in 1973 registered in the district of Durham Western.
Although Peter’s brothers could have been eligible for military service no records have been found. The death of Peter Ditchburn Snr., December 28th 1917 at Easington, County Durham, preceded that of his son, details as regards his wife and granddaughter Sarah unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Peter Ditchburn is remembered at Quebec on Q2.05 and at Seaburn on S142.06
He is not remembered in the DLI Book of Remembrance
