Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Arras Memorial
Thomas Pearson Prudham
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Pearson Prudham was born in 1894 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, one of 8 known children, he was the second born son of 3 and had 2 elder and 3 younger sisters. His father Thomas Prudham Snr born 1860 at Stanwix, district of Carlisle, Cumberland, was brought to the north east by his widowed mother, they were living at Crow Hall Lane, Felling in 1881, he worked as an oil cloth printer to support her and his sister Mary (18). He married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1883 to Elizabeth Pearson of Heworth, born 1862 setting up home at 63, Wellington Street. By 1901 they had moved to 4 Parkison Street, Thomas Snr had changed his occupation and was now employed at the quarry as a stone quarryman/hewer, as was eldest son George (17) as a grindstone turner, eldest daughter Sarah Jane (19) had her own dressmaking business, the younger children including Thomas Jnr were scholars. Concluded his education at Felling High School, at the age of 17 he attended college studying to become a teacher, his brother James (14) was an errand boy at a wholesale chemist, sister Annie (21) was employed as a stocking knitter, Elizabeth (12), Ethel (8) and Elsie (6) were scholars, George and his father were still employed at the quarry. They lived in 1911 in 4 rooms at 2, Windsor Terrace, Felling, Gateshead.
Whilst attending St. Luke’s Training College as a student teacher Thomas enlisted in the Territorials, December 6th 1912, aged 19 years 3 months. He was assigned as Private 1792 4th Devonshire Regiment attending when required their annual training camp. Thomas was a teacher at Marley Hill County School.
On the outbreak of war he was embodied August 5th 1914 and departed for India October 9th 1914 until returning to England December 13th 1915 having gained February 18th 1915 a physical training certificate. He remained in England from December 14th 1915 until December 16th 1916, when he was pensioned out of the Regiment.
January 16th 1916 Thomas re-enlisted as Private 740669 assigned to the 28th (Reserve) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers which September 1st was absorbed into the 19th Training Reserve Brigade.
He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Lance Corporal. February 17th, Corporal. April 10th Lance Sergeant to Sergeant by August 28th and September 1st 1916, having been transferred to a Territorial Battalion he was discharged having been appointed to a temporary commission in the Special Reserve, when appointed a commission he departed as 2nd Lieutenant Northumberland Fusiliers to France March 28th 1917.
2nd Lieutenant Prudham joined the 25th (2nd Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, in the field on the Western Front just prior to the British offensive at the Battles of Arras which began April 9th-14th with the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, followed by the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe April 23rd-24th and the Battle of Arleux April 28th-29th. Reported as missing April 28th 1917 his family were informed and investigations were undertaken to establish his whereabouts. They concluded at the beginning of December 1917 that 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Pearson Prudham Northumberland Fusiliers was deemed to have been killed in action April 28th 1917.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,785 named of servicemen of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand inscribed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing within Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, Pas de Calais, France, commemorating those who fell in the Arras sector between spring of 1916 and August 7th 1917 who have no known grave. He was at the time of his demise 33 years old and single.
His father Thomas Prudham Snr received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 36, Elsdon Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Elizabeth Prudham nee Pearson died in 1941 aged 79 years, Thomas Prudham Snr aged 82 in 1942, both registered at Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Second-Lieut. T.P. Prudham, N.F., missing since April 28th, now reported killed in action, aged 24 years. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Prudham, 36 Elsdon Street, Felling.”
Thomas Pearson Prudham is remembered in Felling on F32.23 and in Gateshead on G39.029 at Durham on D47.052 D47.141 and on the NUT Roll of Honour
