Photo: Dorothy Hall
In Esh Laude Churchyard is a headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
Sarah Macklam
died March 17th 1904
Age 54
Alfred Macklam
Killed in Action (France) April 10th 1917
Age 27
Anthony Macklam
Died April 7th 1921
Age 75
May they all rest in peace
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Alfred Joseph Macklam, one of 7 children all of whom survived, was the youngest of 4 sons and 3 daughters. His father Anthony Macklam, born at Hill Top, Esh, County Durham, in 1846, at the age of 14 years was a lodger in the home of master shoemaker Henry Knowles also of Hill Top, a widower with 2 daughters, as his apprentice. Ten years later Anthony (25) was fully qualified, however, he was still a lodger, now in the home of widow Ann Shaw and her 3 young children along with mason Walter Hellis (23) of Sunderland. In 1875 he was married in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, to Sarah Livingston Ogilvie who originated from Blairgowrie, Perth, Scotland, where she was born in 1849. Anthony and Sarah settled at Hill Top, their son James was born in 1878 and Anthony John in 1881, Anthony Snr plied his trade as a shoemaker to support his family, living with them was his unmarried sister-in-law Jessie Ogilvie (30), a dressmaker, also listed as a visitor is his widowed mother Mary Macklam (62). Over the next ten years his wife gave birth to the remainder of their children Georgina in 1882, Edith Annie, July 28th 1883, Edwin Ogilvie, September 2nd 1885, Mary Eliza, May 6th 1887 and Alfred Joseph 1889. By 1891 Anthony John and Georgina had left the family home, James (22) and Edwin (15) had not undertaken their father’s trade, they were both employed by the railway, James as an advertising inspector, Edwin as a clerk. In 1904 Sarah Livingston Macklam nee Ogilvie died aged 54 years.
In 1911 widower Anthony was living in 5 rooms at 28, Hill Top, Ushaw, County Durham, he was employed at Ushaw College as a boot maker as were Anthony John (30) and Alfred Joseph (21), daughters Edith Annie (25) and Mary Eliza (23) were responsible for running the home.
Alfred Macklam did not enlist when war was declared in 1914, however, he was called up for service in 1916. Examined at Gateshead March 13th he was found to have a paralysis of the serratus magnus (wing bone or scapula), hallux valgus (bunions) and very decayed teeth. Despite this he was considered to be fit enough to serve and although his stated preference was to join the Army Service Corps, assigned as Private 31039, March 16th 1916 he joined the other recruits at the depot at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, where he was posted to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Part of the Tyne Garrison at South Shields and Jarrow the 3rd Battalion as well as training new recruits re-trained the recovering ill and wounded. Just under 2 weeks later he was transferred to the 14th West Yorkshire Regiment which once a Service Battalion, part of the 34th Division, had in April 1915 become a Reserve Battalion. Private Macklam re-transferred December 20th 1916 to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry part of the Tyne Garrison and a training unit for recruits destined to serve overseas. His training complete he embarked at Folkestone, February 28th 1917, bound for France arriving at the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, March 1st. At the Depot he was posted immediately to the 15th Battalion D.L.I., and re-posted to the 10th Battalion on the 23rd joining his regiment in the field participating during the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, March 14th-April 5th 1917 as part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division. They then fought in the Arras sector during the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1917.
Private 31039 Alfred Macklam Durham Light Infantry was killed in action April 9th 1917, the first day of the First Battle of the Scarpe which raged April 9th-14th 1917. He was buried on the battlefield by his comrades with several others at Telegraph Hill map reference M. 12. b. 3. 2. initially listed in error as Private 30139 A. McKlain. After the Armistice at the request of the French and Belgium Governments these smaller concentrations were brought into larger cemeteries. His remains were exhumed and brought into Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais, France, for re-burial with all honour and reverence by an Army chaplain. He is at rest grave I. BB. 3., at the time of his demise in 1917 he was 27 years of age and single. His military headstone bears an additional inscription commissioned by his family at a cost of 14 shillings 6 pence, it reads, “Eternal Rest Give Unto Him O Lord May He Rest In Peace Amen”.
Although his father was living Alfred chose to nominate his youngest sister Mary Eliza as his sole beneficiary. She received all monies due to him, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal and personal items consisting of; letters, photos, cards, pocket wallet, religious books, disc, sent to her at Rose Cottage, Ushaw, County Durham.
Alfred’s father Anthony Macklam died in 1921 aged 75 years registered in the district of Lanchester County Durham. Mary Eliza in 1939 was still single and living with her elder sister Edith Annie at Holy Street, Durham she supported them both employed by St. Godric R.C. School as caretaker.
Mary Eliza Macklam did not marry, she died in 1952 aged 65 years registered Durham Northern.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Alfred Macklam is remembered at Esh Laude on E73.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 74
