Heslop’s Local Advertiser 21/07/1916
Menin Gate
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Edwin Tait was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1879, one of 5 children he was the only son of Andrew James Tait born 1856 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and his wife Elizabeth native of Hexham, Northumberland born 1857, his sisters Sarah (1873), Florence (1878), Fanny (1880) and Christina (1887) were also born a Newcastle-Upon Tyne. In 1881 the Tait family were living at 14, Herbert Street, Elswick, Newcastle, where Andrew was employed as a labourer. By 1891 they had moved to 29, Stowell Street, just inside the confines of the city wall where Andrew James now worked for his own account as a french polisher, daughter Sarah was employed as a general servant.
Elizabeth Tait died in 1900, her elder children were all independent, however Christina was only 13 and I have been unable to discover what became of her until a few years later, her father Andrew James in 1901 was living alone at 38, Byron Street, Elswick as a boarder with George and Margaret Hay and family, working as a machinist to a mechanical engineer. By 1911 he was living in 3 rooms at 1, Victoria Street, Gateshead, having been taken in by his sister Annie Mary Quinn and his niece Margaret. Although married Annie was separated from her husband James Quinn and was running a shop for her own account from her home, her 17-year-old daughter is described as a stage artist, Andrew James was employed as a brass cleaner for the railway company.
Prior to his mother’s death James Edwin Tait had enlisted in the British Army which her served for 16 years participating in the Africa campaign, receiving the Queen’s and King’s Medals with clasps. Upon his discharge he worked as a butcher, living with his sister Christina at 56, Parkinson Street, Felling, Gateshead, and who had married at Gateshead in June 1903 to Joseph William Glendining, they had 2 children.
Upon the outbreak of war he enlisted at Pontefract, Yorkshire, assigned as Private 15394 to the Northumberland Fusiliers. As an experienced soldier he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion which had been recalled from India in December 1914 to join the 84th Brigade, 28th (Northumbrian) Division. The main body of the Division departed January 18th 1915 bound for France, landing at Le Havre, however, Private Tait did not depart until February 9th 1915 joining his regiment in the field in action during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Belgium.
The battle was fought from April 22nd to May 25h 1915 for control of the strategic town of Ypres, during the attacks the Germans used poison gas on mass for the first time. The eastern part of the salient was defended by one Canadian and two British Divisions including the 28th (Northumbrian) Division.
At roll-call April 29th 1915 Private Tait was reported as missing and his next of kin were informed. After extensive investigation as to his whereabouts, July 1915, Private 15394 James Edwin Tait Northumberland Fusiliers was declared as presumed to have died April 29th 1915. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 54,395 names inscribed on the Menin Gate to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium, commemorating servicemen from the Commonwealth who died on the Ypres salient between from 1914 until the cut of point of August 15th 1917, who have no known grave. He was 36 years old and single.
Of the money due to Private Tait from the Army his father received 7 pounds 13 shillings 6 pence, his aunt Annie Mary Quinn and sister Christina Glendining, 1 pound 10 shillings each. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His brother-in-law Joseph William Glendining also served during WW1 and although wounded survived the conflict.
In Gods safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 21/07/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Official news has been received by Mr. Andrew James Tait that his only son, Private James Edwin Tait, D. Company, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, who has been missing since April 29th, 1915, is now reported killed at the Battle of Ypres. He resided with his sister, Mrs. J.W. Glendining, 54 Parkinson Street, Felling, and was well known in the district as a Butcher. Private Tait had previously served 16 years in the Army, going through the South Africa Campaign, when he received the Queen’s and King’s medals, with clasps. His brother-in-law, Private J. Glendining, is now suffering from wounds received while serving with his battalion in France.”
James Edwin Tait is remembered in the Battalion History page 75
