Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ignatius Anthony Marley was the youngest of 6 known children, his father John Marley born 1846 at Rowley, County Durham and mother Irish immigrant Catherine Melia born 1859, were married in the district of Lanchester during the 2nd quarter 1877 where their daughter Mary Jane was born in 1878. Prior to his marriage John had been a farm labourer, however, by 1881 he supported his family as the innkeeper of the Hamsteels Inn. His wife gave birth to their second child and the first of their five sons, John Jnr, in 1883, Joseph 1884, Thomas 1887 and William 1888. He had changed his occupation by 1891 and was employed as a butcher, Ignatius Anthony was born in 1894, baptised at Esh, April 23rd. In the census of 1901 Ignatius is listed with a change of name as Jocobus, Latin for James this would be the name he became known by. The family had moved to Esh Laude, near the village of Esh, John Marley was a spirit merchant for his own account, John Jnr (19), Joseph (17) and Thomas (15) were employed as joiners, William (12) and seven-year-old Jacobus (Ignatius) presumably remained at home with their mother as neither are listed as scholars. Catherine Marley nee Melia died in 1903 aged 42 years, John Marley Snr aged 66 years during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1911. John Jnr had left the family home, Joseph (27) is listed in the 1911 census as head of the family, he along with his brothers William (22) and 16-year-old Ignatius (James) continued to run from home the ale and spirit business their father had founded, Thomas (24) was employed as a colliery labourer. Listed with them was widow Jane Conroy employed by as housekeeper and as visitors their sister Mary Jane, her husband railway-man Arthur Morin and their 2 children John (10) and Mary (6).
James as he was known locally enlisted under his birth name of Ignatius Marley at Lanchester in 1914 assigned initially as Private 20476 Durham Light Infantry, posted to the 3rd Battalion. The battalion was part of the North East Coastal Defences but also trained the recruits and recovering wounded for service overseas. Having been drafted to the front as part of the British Expeditionary Force he departed to France September 9th 1915 landing at Boulogne and transferred at the 3rd Echelon Depot to the 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment under the orders of the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. Only a few days later the Division marched across France and was in reserve for the first day of the Battle of Loos, September 25th-October 19th 1915, entering the battle September 26th. November 16th they transferred to the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division participating in the Actions of the Bluff, and St. Eloi Craters, March 27th-April 16th 1916 operations in the area of the Ypres salient in Belgium before returning to France for the Battles to the Somme seeing action at the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th where the Division helped capture Longueval and the Battle of Delville Wood, July 16th-September 3rd 1916. Having left the Somme they moved to the Arras sector where during the spring of 1917 they fought during the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe, April 9th-May 15th part of the Arras Offensive.
Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal 16706 Ignatius Marley East Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action between April 9th-13th 1917 and interred at Beaurains Road Cemetery, Beaurains, Pas de Calais, France, (sometimes used under the name of Ronville Forward Cemetery), grave F. 45. Lance Corporal Marley was 23 years of age and single.
All monies due to him by the Army were divided amongst his siblings including his married sister Mary Ann Morin. Awards 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his brother Thomas at Wilks Hill, Quebec, County Durham. Probate granted to mining labourer Joseph Marley in the sum of £452 18s, January 24th 1918
Although his brothers would also have been eligible to serve no record has been found.
It should be noted the Register of Soldiers Effects gives Private Marley’s date of death as April 13th whilst the CWGC have adopted April 9th 1917.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Ignatius Marley is remembered at Quebec as James Marley on Q2.06 and as Ignatius Marley at Esh Laude on E73.01
