Willington Cemetery
In Willington Cemetery is a family gravestone which reads:-
In Loving Memory Of
ANN
Beloved Wife Of
Edward Graham
Feb 5th 1904 Aged 59 Years
Also The Above
EDWARD GRAHAM
Who Died March 5th 1924
Aged 78 Years
Also JONATHAN Their Son
Who Died In France July 16th
1916 Aged 39 Years
Also JOSEPH Their Son
Who Died In France Feb 24th
1917 Aged 37 Years
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Jonathan Graham was born at Willington, County Durham, one of 4 known children he was the 2rd born of 3 sons and had an elder sister and half-brother.
His father Edward Graham was born and baptised July 4th 1844 at Westwood, Allerdale, Cumberland. At the age of 6 he and his sister Mary (12) were living at Coke Hole Hill, Brocklebank with his grandmother Mary Graham (67) a blacksmith’s widow and her daughter Jane (30). Ten years later he was employed as a farm servant with John Skelton and family, who farmed 70 acres at Newton Field, Allerdale. In 1869 he was married at Penrith to widow Ann Reed who had a 7-year-old son Jeremiah from her previous marriage, they went on to have 4 children of their own Jane Ann 1879, Robert 1873, Jonathan 1877 and Joseph 1879. Whilst living at Westmoreland Edward worked as a railway labourer and when they transferred to Low Willington between 1873 and 1877, he supported his family as a general labourer. He eventually found work as a bricklayer’s labourer and eldest son Robert (18) was employed as a coal miner. In 1891 they were living at 2, Hutton Terrace, by 1901 both Robert and Jonathan had married and left home, Joseph the youngest was an apprentice blacksmith.
Coal miner Jonathan Graham was married in the district of Durham in 1900 to Katherine Frizzell, known as Kate, born at Willington in 1879. In 1901 they were living at 27, Park Street, Stockley with their 6 month old daughter Lavina, they went on to have a further 2 children, Edith in 1903, just prior to the death of his mother Ann aged 59 years, March 5th 1904, and Wilfred in 1909. Still working as a coal miner in 1911 Jonathan, his wife and 2 youngest children were living at 49, Albert Street, Willington whilst Lavina (10), a scholar, was in the care of her widowed grandmother Maria Frizzell and aunt Maria at 2, Albion Houses.
On the outbreak of war Jonathan Graham enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland assigned as Private 20806 Royal Scots (2nd Lothian Battalion). Unfortunately, neither his military record or medal cards have survived it is therefore impossible to trace his exact movements. The main body of his regiment departed for Boulogne, August 14th 1914, seeing action at the Battle of Mons and Solesmes, Battle of Cateau, Battle of the Marne, Battle of Aisne at Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15, the first attack at Bellewaarde and Action at Hooge. In 1916 they fought at The Bluff and St Eloi Craters before moving to the Somme where they participated at the opening battle at Albert July 1st-13th followed by the Battle of Bazentin Ridge helping to capture Longueval, July 14th-17th 1916.
It was during the attack at Bazentin Ridge that Private 20806 Jonathan Graham Royal Scots was killed in action, July 16th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and have no known grave. He was 39 years of age.
His eldest brother Robert as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him. Recipient of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-15 Star had he served overseas during that period. His widow Katherine does not appear to have remarried.
Jonathan’s youngest brother Joseph also served during WW1 with the Canadian Infantry and died whilst serving in France.
Edward Graham of 10, Park View, Willington died March 5th 1924 aged 78 years and was buried with his wife at St. Stephen’s Churchyard, Willington, probate in the sum of 135 pounds 15 shillings 3 pence was granted to Robert Wyld, colliery deputy overman, March 28th 1924.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Jonathan Graham is remembered in Willington on W120.02
