Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Hetherington was born 1887 in South Church, Bishop Auckland, the eldest son and one of four children, 3 boys and 1 girl, born to John Hetherington native of Haltwhistle, Northumberland born April 30th 1867 and Mary Jane Watson born 1869, native of South Church. John and Mary Ann were married in 1886, settling in Pease’s Rows, South Church where John worked as a miner. By 1901 they had moved to Perkins Street and William, now 14 years old, worked as a pony driver below ground at the colliery. They had moved by 1911 to Chilton, living at 5 Prospect Terrace, Windlestone. Both William and his father worked at Windlestone Colliery, William worked above ground as a labourer and his father was now a master shifter.
William enlisted as Private 16478 Northumberland Fusiliers, September 8th 1914 but was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion, “B” Coy, October 7th 1914, keeping the same regiment number. He embarked as part of the British Expeditionary Force, bound for France, September 9th 1915. His Battalion, now part of the 50th Northumbrian Division, 150th Brigade, took part in the Battle of Armentieres September - December 1915 until they were sent back to the Ypres Salient and fought at Armagh Wood and Hill 60, December - February 1916. The harsh and wet winter caused trench foot, William was admitted to hospital in Etaples, March 12th 1916 and shipped back to England, the following day, aboard the S.S. Brighton, initially a passenger ship converted to a troop carrier and now a hospital ship. It was not until July 20th 1916 that he was fit enough to return to his Regiment in France, joining, 1st Battalion, “D” Coy in the field July 29th 1916. Two months later the 50th Division was involved in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette during which Private 16478 William Hetherington was wounded in action and presumed dead having been missing since September 25th 1916. William has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Pier & Face 2C, Thiepval, Pas de Calais, France. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War medal and the Victory Medal. William was 29 years old and unmarried.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Hetherington is remembered at Chilton on C107.04 /a>, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039)
