Richard Robson Corker
John Robson Corker
Jane Corker
St. John's Church
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Robson Corker was the eldest of 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter, all of whom survived, born to John Robson Corker of Pelton born 1871 and Jane Holt native of West Stanley, born January 14th 1871, both in County Durham. They were married during the 1st quarter 1892 in the district of Lanchester, Richard Robson was born July 14th 1892, his brother George Holt, June 27th 1894, both at Stanley. The family were living at 227, West Park View, South Shields, in 1891, where John was employed as a butcher’s manager, although both boys were of of school age, 8 and 6 years, they are not listed as such. Daughter Edna May was born January 14th 1902 at South Shields. By 1911 John, Jane, George Holt and Edna May had moved to 22, Front Street, Quebec, where John plied his trade as a butcher employed by the Cooperative Society, George (16) was a clerk at the colliery. Richard Robson (23) had left home and was living as one of 4 boarders at an establishment run by Miss Frances Wardropper at 58, Gilesgate, Durham City, where he attended Bede College.
Richard Robson Corker left his employment as a qualified teacher and enlisted at Durham after the outbreak of war, early September 1914, assigned to the newly formed 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, better known as the Durham Pals, as Private 249. The 18th Battalion had no home until Lord Durham offered his home and land at Cocken Hall for training purposes. Some of the men inhabited the house for the remainder a hutted camp was built in the surrounding fields, trenches were dug to simulate battle conditions and also a firing range. Whilst the majority of the recruits were training at Cocken Hall some 500 were sent to the coastal defences at Hartlepool in November 1914 due to fears of a German naval attack on the north east coast. The town was shelled December 16th 1914 and 5 of the Durham Pals were killed, 11 wounded.
During his training period Richard Robson Corker was initiated at the 124 Marquis of Granby Lodge, Freemason’s Hall, Durham City, March 2nd 1915, passed April 6th 1915 and raised June 1st 1915.
After months of intensive training and having risen through the ranks Sergeant Corker departed with his regiment to Egypt, December 22nd 1915, attached to the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division, where upon their arrival the troops were assigned to defend the Suez canal against attacks by the Turks. In March 1916 the 18th Battalion was recalled to England where it prepared for its departure to France as preparations were already underway for the expected, “Big Push” on the Western Front better known as the Battles of the Somme.
The Division took over the front line opposite the village of Serre, at the northern most point of the Somme line. At 7.30 a.m. on the morning of July 1st 1916 D Company of the 18th Battalion as part of the first wave attacked with the 15th and 16th West Yorks. They suffered heavy casualties but a few men reached the objective of Pennant Copse. The other companies of the 18th Battalion were in the second wave with the 18th West Yorks, having made no headway and were held in reserve.
Sergeant 249 Richard Robson Corker Durham Light Infantry died of wounds sustained July 1st 1916 during the unsuccessful attack at Serre and was interred in the front line burial ground of Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, grave 1. B. 47. All the casualties in Plot 1 represent the original cemetery of 501 graves. After the Armistice more than 750 casualties were exhumed from the battlefields and brought into the cemetery for re-burial. Sergeant Corker was 23 years of age and single. Awards 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
All monies owed to sergeant Corker went to his brother George Holt Corker who had enlisted November 6th 1918 in the R.A.F. as a trainee pilot, his services were not required as the Armistice came into being November 11th 1918. George Holt Corker had married Gertrude Hutchinson born March 27th 1898, in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, in 1917. In 1939 they were living at 185, Victoria Road West, Hebburn, County Durham, where he was employed as an assistant manager at the Gas Works. They left the north east post 1939 and moved to Warrington, George Corker died aged 80 years in 1975, Gertrude Corker nee Hutchinson in 1994 aged 96 years.
Edna May Corker married in the district of Weardale in 1924 to Joseph Thomas Boon born April 26th 1904 at Frosterley, Weardale. their son John Joseph C. Boon was born in 1925. After the death of John Robson Corker in 1930, his widow Jane was taken in by her daughter and son-in-law. In 1939 they were living at Western Hill, Weardale where Joseph Thomas Boon was a heavy worker at the limestone quarry. Jane Corker nee Holt died in 1965 aged 94 years, Edna May Boon nee Corker died in 1969 aged 63 years, Joseph Thomas Boon died aged 76 years in 1980, their son died in 1984 aged 59 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The lectern of St John The Baptist Hamsteels, Quebec, County Durham, was dedicated to Sergeant Corker and moved to Langley Moor Roman Catholic Church in 2011 when the church was sold and became a private dwelling.
Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:
18/249 Sgt. Richard Robson CORKER
Durham Light Infantry 18th Battalion
Richard Robson Corker was born 14th July 1892 at Beamish. A Schoolmaster residing at Quebec, County Durham, he was Initiated 124 Marquis of Granby Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, Durham City on the 2nd March 1915; Passed 6th April 1915 and Raised on the 1st June 1915. He enlisted at Durham and died of wounds during the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916 aged 23. He is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Aisne, France Grave Reference I.B.47.
Richard Robson Corker is remembered at Consett on C101.13 at Quebec on Q2.05 and Q2.04, at Durham in D47.052, D47.126, D47.127, D47.141and in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 168, on D47.017, in Teachers who Fell, and in The Masonic Roll of Honour
Further details on Richard Robson Corker
The CWGC entry for Sergeant Corker