Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
John Usher Gladstone was my daughter-in-law’s great great uncle, born in 1885 in Sedgefield. He was one of three children, two boys and one girl born to John Usher Gladstone (1859 Houghton-le-Spring - 1928 Sedgefield) a bricklayer, and his wife Jane Wilkinson (1860 - 1916 Sedgefield).
John Usher Gladstone was formerly in the D.L.I. number 4649 and enlisted, or was transferred to, the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 1st Division, 8th Battalion as Rifleman 6105. The 1st Division of the British Army comprised individuals that were part of the regular army. His division during the month of September 1916 was involved in the battle of Flers-Courcelette. This was a battle within the Franco-British Somme offensive which took place in the autumn of 1916. Launched on September 15th 1916 it lasted one week. Flers-Courcelette began with the objective of cutting a hole in the German line by using massed artillery and infantry attacks. This hole would then be exploited with the use of the cavalry. It was the third and final offensive mounted by the British Army during the battle of the Somme. By its conclusion on September 22nd, the objective of a breakthrough had not been achieved. However, tactical gains were made in the capture of the villages of Courcelette, Martinpuich, and Flers. In some places the front line was advanced by over 2,500 yards by the Allied attacks. The battle was significant for the first use of the tank in warfare. It also marked the entry of Canadian and New Zealand divisions on the Somme.
It was during this offensive, on September 21st 1916 that John Usher Gladstone was killed in action, he was 31 years old and has no known grave. His name is recorded Pier face 2D, on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Thiepval, France. John was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
1916 was a terrible year for the Gladstone family, not only was there the loss of John, a dear son and brother, but the death of Jane his mother.
Remembered with pride. In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Usher Gladstone is remembered at Sedgefield on S119.03
