Photo: Barbara Glendenning

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Joshua Gill Glendenning was born 1890 at Wooley Colliery, near Crook, County Durham.

His father Robert Glendenning at the age of 6 in 1861 was living with his widowed grandmother Margaret Carr, his uncle Matthew (10), aunt Elizabeth (12) at Nentsbury, Alston, district of Nenthead, who were supported by his uncle William (31) employed as a lead miner. Ten years later he was in service as a farm servant for the Poulder family of Unthank Gamblesby who owned 305 acres. He migrated from Cumberland to County Durham where he was married in the district of Gateshead in 1887 to Alice Gill born 1854 at Hedley Hill, County Durham. In 1891 they were living with 1-year-old Joshua at 7, Catherine Terrace, Brancepeth, where Robert was employed as a stationary colliery fireman. Living next door at number 6 was Alice’s widowed father Joshua, a hewer/inspector, her sister Sarah and niece Elizabeth Ann. Alice Glendenning nee Gill died in 1897 aged 43 years when Joshua was only 7 years old.

Joshua was married at Willington in 1910 to Ethel Maude Poppleton born 1889 at Durham City, living at 4 South Street, Willington. In 1911 they were living at 76, High Street, the home of cabinet maker George Hume, who was Ethel Maude’s uncle and had taken her into his home when she was 12 years old, also her mother Ann Mills Poppleton (73), brothers John (38) a quarryman, Robert (34) a french polisher, whilst Joshua who is listed as Joseph Glendenning (21) was employed as a coal miner. His wife gave birth to a daughter Maria during the 4th quarter Oct/Nov/Dec) 1911.

On the outbreak of war Joshua Glendenning enlisted at Bishop Auckland assigned as Private 17636 Northumberland Fusiliers. He joined his regiment at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, where he was transferred to the 13th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, part of Kitchener’s Third New Army attached to the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated near Tring where they trained at Halton Park before moving into billets for the winter at Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved back to Halton Park, then on to Whitley Camp, August 9th, for final training, departing to France September 9th 1915. They were marched across France, their first experience of action was as part of the British attack at Loos, September 26th 1915, where they suffered heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme at the Battles of the Somme at Albert, July 1st-13th.

Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal Joshua Glendenning was wounded in action. Taken by the Field Ambulance to the XV Corps Dressing Station in the village of Dernancourt, established prior to the commencement of actions on the Somme to receive casualties, Lance Corporal 17636 Joshua Glendenning died of his wounds July 2nd 1916 and interred at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, 3 kilometres from Albert, grave F.2. He was 24 years old.

It should be noted that although his medal card states he was a Private, the CWGC, the Register of Soldiers Effects and Service Medal and Awards Roll list him as a Lance Corporal and his headstone is inscribed accordingly.

His widow Ethel Maude received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and a pension for herself and their child until she remarried during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1917 in the district of Durham to John Cooper.

Joshua and Ethel Maude’s daughter Maria had 2 children, Lewis and Gary and married in the late 1950’s possibly to a Mr. Edward G Burnett.

Both of Joshua’s brothers were eligible for war service, William’s record has not been found, however, Martin Burton Glendenning enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry.

The CWGC entry lists Joshua under the surname of Glendinning.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Mr. C. Glendenning informs us:

The surname should be “Glendenning,” Soldiers Died in the Great War has it spelt correctly.

The photo has been sent in by Barbara Glendenning who says:

"My great grandmother was Ethel Maude, who married Joshua, they were married for only 5 years and had a daughter Maria. Wow I'm really excited about this information, I'll send you a picture of Ethel, Joshua and Maria their child, my gran."

Joshua Glendenning is remembered on W120.02 at Stanley Crook on S147.01 and possibly as Joseph at Oakenshaw on O20.01

A website on the Memorial
The CWGC entry for Lance Corporal Glendenning