Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Thomas Pattison Chisholm was the son of Robert and Jane (nee Urwin) of Dundee House Coxhoe. He was born at Cornforth, Durham in 1897. His parents had married in 1893.
The 1901 shows father, Robert, is working as a grocer’s assistant at the Co-op. Also living in the household are siblings William and Mary Jane together with a lodger, Thomas Horsley.
By 1911 the household goes on as usual except there had been additions to the family of John Robert and Ethel. Thomas Horsley, the lodger and retired miner, is still living with them also. William is now working as a bank hand on the screens whilst Thomas is also a bank hand on the belt.
Thomas enlisted at Coxhoe, and joined the Royal Field Artillery in January 1915. He was discharged in June 1915 as not likely to become an efficient soldier. However, Thomas then later enlisted into the Northumberland Fusiliers. Although no further details of his military service is available the War Diary for his date of death is accessible.
The War Diary for the October 25th 1917 reads:
Casualties light but weather bad. Enemy shelled back area and battalion HQ at Egypt House heavily.
7.30 pm Support Company moved into position.
10.30pm Tape line laid at jumping off point in conjunction with H.L.I. on left and 5th N.F.
on right. 4th N.F. on right of the 5th N.F. Hot soup carried up to troops by 9th D.L.I.
26/10/1917
4.30am A, B and D Companies moved into position, at 5.00am reported ‘all ready’
It was probably during this action that Thomas received the wounds that led to his death.
The inscription on his headstone reads “Death divides but memory clings until the day breaks”
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
Thomas Pattison Chisholm is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01, C103.02, C103.03 and C103.08 and at Tursdale on T62.02
