Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
James Summerson, the son of Robert and Margaret Ann (nee Bell) was born September 17th 1899 at Merrington, Durham. The couple married in 1898.
In 1901 the young family lived at Merrington where father Robert was a coal miner hewer. James was only 1 year old at that time. His mother was aged 20.
By 1911 there had been additions to the household. Apart from James his siblings now also included Robert, George and John who were all at school. James later worked as a colliery pony driver.
On 1911 census Margaret declared she had given birth to 6 children 1 of whom died. However according to later records she actually gave birth to 12 children - from James born 1899 to Reuben in 1924 by which time she was aged 44 years.
The names of her children were James, Charles, Robert, Reginald, Stanley, Melvyn, Thomas, George John, Elizabeth Maurice Vivian Summerson (his middle name possibly in memory of his sailor brother James who died aboard HMS Vivien) and lastly Reuben. Several of these children either died at birth or in their early years.
James joined the hostilities on October 12th 1917. His records show him to be 5’3” tall, with auburn hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. His character throughout his service was noted as being very good.
He first served aboard the Victory 1 which is a shore based depot ship. He was then posted to HMS Vivien (Diligence) on May 26th just before the ship was commissioned on May 28th 1918.
He served on that ship for only 1 month 3 days before he was killed whilst on duty by a premature explosion of a depth charge. The date was June 29th 1918. Two of his fellow sailors (AB William Cragg and Chief Stoker William Moth) were also killed along with several others wounded. The accident happened whilst the ship was at Scapa Flow.
A pension of 15/- per week was allocated to his family applicable as from January 2nd 1919.
The Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery is located at The Isle of Hoy in the Orkneys. He lies beside 545 of his comrades.
James Summerson is remembered at Kirk Merrington on K26.01
