Elizabeth Olsen nee Devlin

“Military Honours.
Private Charles Olsen.
We are pleased to record that the Military Medal has been awarded to Private Charles Olsen, D.L.I., a native of Friars’ Goose, Felling, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The report states that:-‘About 5.p.m. on the 29th April in trenches near Zillebeke a British aeroplane crashed, falling just behind Lovers’ Walk. The plane was in full view of the enemy from three directions. As a stretcher bearer, Private Olsen went out to look for the wounded pilot, after the observer had given some indication where he was lying, and found him with a fractured leg, in a wet shell hole giving him very little cover. He bandaged him up, made him as comfortable as possible, and then returned to the trench for water. This he took to the wounded officer and then managed to get him into a better shell hole as he could not bring him in. He returned to the trench a second time, and went out a third time with hot tea and remained with him until a lull in the shelling, when he managed with the assistance of another man, who went out with a stretcher to bring him in. From first to last he was for two hours under direct fire and undoubtedly saved the pilot’s life.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Charles Olsen Jnr was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1880, one of 5 children of whom only 4 survived, he was the eldest of his siblings and the first born of 2 sons and 2 daughters. His father Carl Christian Olsen, known as Charles, was born January 4th 1849 at Frederikshavn, Jutland, Denmark and married at South Shields in 1873 to Elizabeth Devlin native of Felling born 1853.

Charles Christian Olsen was a mariner, in 1881 he was serving as an Able Seaman aboard the Spanish schooner SS Gogo whilst Elizabeth was living with new born Charles Jnr at East Terrace, Felling. He spent time working on shore as a chemical labourer and the family now consisting of his wife and 4 children, Charles (10), Catherine (8), Henry (5) and Margaret, known as Meggie, (2) had moved to Friars Goose, Felling. Charles Christian Olsen, listed as a foreman, died aged 51 years, February 21st 1900, of burns sustained working on an overflow boiler. His widow received all his effects and the sum of 5 pounds. After his death she was supported by her children Charles (20) was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer, Catherine (18) as a letter press print machinist, Henry (15) a pattern maker’s apprentice, Margaret (12) remained at home with her mother. By 1911 both Henry and Margaret were married, Charles now worked at the colliery as a hewer, Catherine was still employed at the print works.

Charles Olsen served during WW1 as Private 19850 assigned to the Durham Light Infantry, battalion unknown. He served in France and Belgium, recipient of the Military Medal awarded to personnel of the British Army and Commonwealth countries for bravery in battle on land, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

He survived the conflict of WW1 and died at Gateshead, County Durham, during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1963 aged 82 years.

His brother Henry Olsen known as Harry, also served during WW1 as Sergeant 1802 1st/1st Northumberland Division Signal Coy Royal Engineers. He was killed in action April 24th 1915, he left a wife and a 5-year-old daughter. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Interred Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Ypres, Belgium grave III. E. 9.

Elizabeth Olsen nee Devlin died aged 83 in 1938 registered Durham NE.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.