Martin B Glendenning

Martin B Glendenning

Martin top row 3rd from right possibly at Morpeth

Mary Pinkney nee Gill

Martin Burton Glendenning was born September 2nd 1895 at Wooley Colliery, near Crook, County Durham, the youngest of 3 sons.

His father Robert Glendenning at the age of 6 in 1861 was living with his widowed grandmother Margaret Carr, his uncle Matthew (10) and 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 Foulder 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 Gill, a hewer/inspector, her sister Sarah and niece Elizabeth Ann. Robert Glendenning died at Wooley Colliery, December 12th 1896. Alice Glendenning, nee Gill, died in 1897 aged 43 years when Martin was only 2 years old, his brother Joshua 7 and William 4.
After the death of both parents, Martin and his brothers were taken in by their maternal grandfather, who had moved to 17, Arthur Terrace, Stanley, Crook, County Durham, with his widowed daughter, Mary Pinkney nee Gill, as housekeeper. Life must have been very hard without an income coming into the household as all 3 boys were scholars.

After the declaration of war in August 1914, Martin Burton Glendenning of Front Street, Mount Pleasant, Stanley, enlisted at Bishop Auckland, June 5th 1915, listing his aunt, Mrs Mary Pinkney of the same address, as his next of kin. He was assigned as Private 3856 Durham Light Infantry and embodied the same day to the 3rd/6th Battalion. The 3rd/6th Battalion was a Territorial Force formed in May 1915 after the departure of the Territorials, including the 1st/6th to France, from men of the 2nd/6th who were deemed only fit for home duty: it was they who trained the new recruits for active service overseas as well as being part of the Durham coastal defences.
April 29th 1916 Private Glendenning was posted to the 23rd Provisional Battalion D.L.I., also a Territorial Force and from there, August 17th 1916 he was transferred to Class W Reserve. The new Class W was introduced in June 1916 by Army Order 203/16 section 12 of the Military Service Act, ‘for all soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’. Men in this class did not wear a uniform or receive any pay and were not subject to military discipline. However, they could be recalled to the colours in a time of need.
Martin Burton Glendenning was officially discharged March 23rd 1919 under King’s Regulations 392 (xxva), ‘surplus to military requirements (Not having suffered impairment since entry into the service)’.

Martin returned to his home in Mount Pleasant, his aunt Mary Pinkney, nee Gil,l died in the district of Bishop Auckland in 1932.
In 1939 he was working below ground as a hewer-heavy worker, living at 7, Wilson Street, Stanley, Crook, County Durham, in the home of retired colliery hewer Isaac Walker and wife Jane Ann Coultas, nee Pinkney, his cousin. He later was employed as a stoneman and finally as a lamp cabin attendant. Martin married Liela W. Coultas in 1942; they had a son Colin born in 1943.

Both of Martin’s brothers were eligible for war service, William’s record has not been found. Unfortunately, his brother Lance Corporal Joshua Glendenning died of wounds whilst on active service in France, July 2nd 1916.

Martin Burton Glendenning retired in about 1950 due to ill health, suffering from emphysema. He died aged 64 years in 1960 registered in the district of Durham Western.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Acknowledgements: Colin Glendenning

Martin Burton Glendenning is remembered at Stanley Crook in S147.05 (Darlington Pease and Partners Book D40.039c) as having served.