Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Jonathan was born at Amble, Northumberland in 1886 and was later baptised on March 7th 1886. His parents, Thomas Robson Hutchinson and Mary (nee Chalder) had married at Auckland register area in 1884.
By 1891, and although Jonathan was born at Amble, the family moved to Shildon only a few years after his birth. As his father was a coal miner the move was possibly prompted by finding work but also because his wife, Mary, was born there. His siblings at that time were John, Thomas and Margaret.
1901 saw 2 additions to family. They were Matthew and Rose. Their father, Thomas unfortunately died that same census year.
The lads were growing up and now also working in the pit, John as a putter and Jonathan as a driver below ground. 13 year old Thomas was an errand boy.
In 1911 the home address was 7 Victoria Terrace, Ferryhill. Mary, now widowed, was the head of the household. Her sons were all working as hewers in the pit so they were able to afford a servant, Ruth Banks.
Jonathan enlisted at Bishop Auckland and was sent to France on July 13th 1915. He was killed in action at Fricourt a year later.
On June 30th 1916, Fricourt village was just within the German front line. It was attacked on July 1st 1916 by the 17th Division, and by the end of the day it was caught between that division to the west, the 21st to the north and the 7th to the south. The village was occupied by the 17th Division the following day.
More detail of the action has been taken from the War Diary showing on Webmatters website.
Fricourt 1 /7/ 16
The attached Battn Operation Order No 63 gives the general and detailed orders for the offensive for which the Battn assembled in the trenches opposite FRICOURT VILLAGE on the afternoon of 27th June 1916. The first zero hour was 7.30am on July 1st when the troops on our left and right attacked, and the 2nd zero hour was at 2.30pm when the battalion assaulted. Owing to an unfortunate mistake on the part of the officer commanding A Coy, his company assaulted at 7.45am. As soon as they began to climb over the parapet terrific machine gun was opened by the enemy and the company was almost at once wiped out. The survivors lay in crump holes some 25 yards in front of our wire until after dark. As soon as it was discovered that A Company had assaulted by itself, D Coy (the reserve Coy) was brought up into the assembly trenches to take A Coys place.
At 2pm 1/7/16 our artillery began the 1/2 hours preliminary bombardment of FRICOURT VILLAGE. This bombardment was feeble and did little damage to the enemy as the battalion soon learned to its cost. At 2.30pm the Battn assaulted and were met by a murderous machine gun and rifle fire, officers and men were literally mown down and were finally brought to a standstill about half way across to the enemy’s trenches. 13 Officers and over 300 men became casualties in about three minutes. The survivors lay in crump holes until dark with a few exceptions who managed to crawl back. Many magnificent deeds of courage were performed especially in bringing in wounded and carrying messages under fire. The battalion was withdrawn after dark on 01/07/1916.
Medals: 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Jonathan Chandler Hutchinson is remembered at Middridge on M62.01
