Photo: Pauline Priano
Photo: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Strong, one of 5 known children, was the youngest of 2 brothers and had 2 elder and 1 younger sister. His father William Simpson Strong, native of Walbottle, Northumberland, born 1851, was brought, along with his siblings, to County Durham by his parent, where they settled between 1858 and 1861 at Findon Hill, County Durham. William at only 11 years of age was working as a labourer at the colliery, his father James employed as a coal miner, as was he ten years later. William remained in his parent’s home until the age of 33 years when he was married, June 22nd 1884 at St. Nicholas, Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Christine/Christina Swindle born 1853 at Sacriston, County Durham. Their daughter Elizabeth Jane was born April 23rd 1885, George, June 3rd 1887 both at Sacriston and Ann Simpson Long in 1890 at Kimblesworth. In 1891 they were living there at 9. John Street, William supported his family employed as a coal miner. Sadly, Ann Simpson Strong died in 1891, aged 1-year, her death registered in the district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Christina gave birth to their youngest children, James and Emily in 1893 and 1896, by 1901 the family had moved to Crossgate, Durham City as William was now the licensed victualler of a pub, although all his children were of school age they are not listed as scholars. William Strong of Framwellgate Bridge, Durham, died May 30th 1907 aged 57 years and was buried June 2nd district of Durham and 3 years later his widow Christina Strong nee Swindle, aged 55 years, also buried at Durham, December 21st 1910. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth Jane, who had married in 1908 to Edwin Alfred Oliver born 1882, native of Gilesgate, Durham, and had a son Edwin Alfred Jnr (1) took her siblings into their home at 10, Lambton Street, consisting of 4 rooms. Her husband was employed as a hotel manager, George (23) and James (18), a time keeper at the colliery and an apprentice organ builder.
Within 2 weeks of the commencement of war with Germany, James Strong left his employment as a plate layer and enlisted at Durham, August 18th 1914, where he was assigned that same day to the newly formed 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. As Private 19856 he joined the other recruits at Woking in Surrey. The recruits were living under canvas, training in their own clothes and without rifles. Their commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Morant was a regular soldiers joined by other officers who had fought during the Boar War. Once the men received uniforms and rifles their training began in earnest. February 1915 the 10th Battalion moved to Aldershot for final training and departed with the British Expeditionary Force, May 21st 1915, to France, as part of the 43rd Brigade 14th (Light) Division. Within weeks, with little nursery training, they were in the front line south of Ypres in Belgium and sustained heavy casualties when they were moved to the salient particularly during, all be it, the successful defence of trenches south of Hooge at the end of July 1915. The battalion remained on the salient until June 1916, when they were moved to the Arras sector before joining the fighting on the Somme in early August participating during the attempt to clear Delville Wood until the conclusion of the battle, September 3rd, which had raged since July 15th 1916. September 16th the 10th Battalion attacked Gird trenches but caught by enemy machine gun fire were unable to advance, losing some 400 men, killed, wounded or missing.
Private 19856 James Strong Durham Light Infantry was amongst the casualties of the day, deemed to have been killed in action, September 16th 1916, although his body was never found. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,318 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Great Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918, and have no known grave. James was 24 years of age and single.
In his will he had nominated, in the event of his death, that his sisters Elizabeth Jane and Emily should receive his personal effects, they were the beneficiaries in the sum of 19 shillings and 2 pence each, monies owed to their brother by the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to 10, Lambton Street, Framwellgate, Durham.
Tragedy had struck the family just over 10 weeks earlier, July 5th 1916 their brother George serving as Corporal 12580 Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action on the Somme, his name is also inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Elizabeth Jane Strong and her husband Edwin Alfred Oliver had a son Edwin Alfred Jnr born prior to WW1 in 1909 and a daughter Elizabeth in 1917. Although a military record has not been found it is most probable he too served during WW1, his daughter born prior to or during his absence. Edwin Alfred Oliver died aged 72 years in 1954 registered at Durham Central, Elizabeth Jane Oliver nee Strong in 1974 aged 88 years registered at Durham SE.
Further details as regards Emily Strong, unknown.
With the deaths of George and James this branch of the Strong family ceased to exist.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Strong is remembered in Durham City on D47.043, D47.054 and D47.125
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 249
