Heslop’s Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Adams born 1894 at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham, was the youngest of 2 known children, father Thomas William Adams born 1853 and mother Ann Bourne of Felling born 1872 were married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1889. His brother Thomas William Jnr born during the 2nd quarter (Ap/May/Jun) 1893 died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1894 little more than one-year-old, this was followed by another devastating blow for his mother as her husband died, aged only 42 years, during the 2nd quarter (Ap/May/Jun) of 1895. Left alone with the infant Joseph to support Ann remarried July 23rd 1898 at St. Mary’s Heworth to widower William Thomas Neesam.
William Thomas Neesam, aged 22 years, had married at All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, October 4th 1885 to Mary Smith and with whom he had 6 children, 2 daughters and 4 sons. When his wife died in 1897 his eldest daughter was 10 and the youngest son only 1-year-old. William and Ann went on to have another 3 sons of their own James 1900, William 1903 and Harold born in 1905. Joseph’s step-father worked as a coal miner/hewer below ground, in 1901 they were living at 3, William Street, Heworth, by 1911 they had moved to 2, Sandmill Road, Windy Nook, also near Gateshead, William had been joined at the colliery by his son Henry (17) who was employed as a braker and step-son Joseph (17) a screener, his eldest John William (21) worked at the ship yards as a catcher.
On the outbreak of war Joseph although known as Joseph Neesam, chose to enlist under his birth father’s surname of Adams. Enlisted at Gateshead he was assigned as Private 2797 to the 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry attached to the 3rd Entchelon. The battalion was a Territorial Force and those already part of the Territorials were at their training camp in north Wales with the rest of the Northumbrian Division when August 3rd 1914 they were ordered to return home and prepare for war. These more experienced men were firstly deployed to dig trenches at South Shields and trained for full-time active service, departing April 19th 1915 from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station for France. Private Adams did not depart for France until August 19th 1915 joining his regiment in the field as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in the trenches of the Ypres salient and Armentieres where they were involved until August 1916.
Private 9/2797 Joseph Adams Durham Light Infantry was killed during front line action June 24th 1916 and interred at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, 5 kilometres from Ypres, Belgium, grave II. S. 10. He was 22 years and single.
As his sole beneficiary his mother Ann, known as Annie, received all monies due to him, and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, Windsor Terrace, Felling, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph's death was announced in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/07/1916:
"Private J. Adams (known as Neesam) 9th D.L.I. killed in action on June 24th. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Neesam, 5 Windsor Terrace, Felling.
The following lines were found written in the pocket book of Private J. Adams (better known by his comrades as J. Neesam), 9th D.L.I., of Felling, who was killed in action on June 24th.
THE FAITHFUL DURHAMS.
Out on the plains of Flanders,
Reeking with shot and shell,
Boys of the brave 9th Durhams,
Nobly fighting fell.
Facing grim odds with elan
Steady as though on parade,
Yielding their lives for freedom,
Glorious Durham Brigade.
Marching to death with laughter.
In the teeth of roaring guns,
Daving the situation -
Checking the dastard Huns.
Toll for the Fighting Durhams,
Comrades we'll see no more,
Toll for the Territorials
Asleep on an alien shore.
Desolate brides are weeping
Fond mothers mourn the loss
Of sons who won honour and glory,
A wound, and a wooden cross.
Joseph Adams is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and H92.07 and at Felling on F32.07
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 161
