Heslop’s Local Advertiser 20/07/1917

“Sergt. Wm. Storey.

Sergt. William Storey, D.L.I., son of Mr. and Mrs. James Storey, 15 George Street, Felling, has been awarded the Military Medal.”

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

William Storey was born 1892 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, he was the second born of 3 sons. His father James Storey born at Burradon, Northumberland and Eliza Taylor native of Felling, Gateshead, both of whom were born in 1870 were married at Gateshead in 1890. Newly married they settled at Havelock Street, their son John was born in 1891. William’s father was employed as a coal miner and had been promoted to deputy foreman by 1901, they had also moved to First Street.

Eliza Storey nee Taylor died in 1908 aged 38 years of age, William was taken in by his maternal grandparents William and Harriet Maria Taylor of 21, Hewitson Terrace, Felling. William was an unemployed hewer, William Taylor working as a boiler-smith at the United Alkali Works supported his wife with the help of his daughters. Grace Taylor was a cook in the household of Doctor Peacock her sister Margaret was his house maid.

In 1911 William’s widowed father was living in 4 rooms at 27, Ridley Street, Felling with his youngest son Robert (17), they were both employed at the colliery, James as a shot firer, Robert as a labourer. The household was run by 26 year old domestic servant Margaret Little. Eldest son John was married.

On the outbreak of war William Storey was living at 121, St. James Road, Gateshead, he enlisted for a period of 4 years, April 25th 1914, assigned as Private 1749. Training completed he was embodied June 26th 1915 departing from Southampton and disembarking at Le Havre, France the following day. He was moved on to the Base Depot at Rouen until he joined the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in the field, July 10th 1915, with the rank of Lance Corporal, however he reverted to the rank of Private that same day.

The 9th Battalion attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbria Division served until August 1916 in the trenches of the Ypres salient and Armentieres before moving south to the Somme although the Division did not participate in any major battles until the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 13th-23rd 1916. During this period not only did Private Storey regain his original stripes but rose to the rank of Sergeant.

Given leave in November 1916 he returned to England before returning to France to re-join his Regiment which was moved to the Arras sector for the commencement of the battles April 9th 1917 and during which July 18th 1917 the London Gazette reported he had been awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in battle on land.

November 2nd 1917 he took sick and was taken by the Field Ambulance to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station arriving the following day then on to the 51st General Hospital where he was admitted November 9th 1917. Fully recovered and discharged he returned to the Base Depot, January 17th 1918, re-joining his unit in the field January 22nd, once again fighting on the Ypres salient, however, a few months later he was taken ill and again transferred to the 51st General Hospital and given leave to return to England.

He did not return to front line duty but was assigned to the Royal Engineer Training School at Rouen, as the 9th Battalion in January 1918 had been given a new role as a Pioneer battalion assigned to dig and repair trenches and dugouts, move supplies and any other work required for the 62nd (West Riding) Division but were still required to fight as infantry when needed. This need arose when in July 1918 they were sent to participate alongside the French Army on the Marne, they then joined the Allied advance again repairing and clearing roads. When Armistice was declared November 11th 1918 the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was near Maubeuge.

November 16th 1918 the 9th Durhams joined the Allied march into Germany reaching Kommern, west of Bonn, on Christmas Day. They spent almost a year as part of the British Army on the Rhine before returning to Gateshead in October 1919 and demobilisation.

Awards; 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Medal.

William may have married at Gateshead in 1921 to Susan Hodgson.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.