Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/09/1916
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
James Ronan was born at Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) of 1895, the eldest of 4 sons born to John Ronan and Emma McParlin both natives of Heworth born 1874 and 1876 respectively. Married at Gateshead in 1895 by 1901 they were living at 15, Heworth Avenue, Felling, his father was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer. James’s mother Emma Ronan nee McParlin died in 1903 aged 27 years when he was only 8 years old, two years later his father remarried to widow Margaret Common nee McManus, ten years his senior, who had two daughters of her own, Elizabeth born 1886 and Agnes born 1898 from her previous marriage in 1884 to Joseph Common. In 1911 Margaret was living at Heworth Lane, Woof’s Building with her daughters and step-sons James, John and Thomas William, Michael had died in 1902 aged 2 years old. John Ronan is not included in the census it may well be he was at sea having joined the Merchant Navy. Margaret was supported by James (16) employed at the colliery as a lamp cleaner, her daughters helped with domestic duties at home, John (14) and Thomas William (13) were scholars.
Prior to the commencement of WW1 James Ronan was married at Gateshead Registry Office, August 8th 1914, to Mary Armstrong. He left his employment as a labourer to enlist at Gateshead, August 28th 1914, declaring he was 20 years and 330 days old, this was either an error on his part or a deliberate falsehood as he was only 18 years of age. He was assigned as Private 16643 Durham Light Infantry, joining the regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The new recruits departed from Newcastle railway station for Woking in Surrey where they were formed into the 10th and 11th (Service) Battalions. Initially living in tents without uniforms or modern rifles they began their training joined by experienced soldiers and officers, in February 1915 they moved to barracks in Aldershot for final training and where they were issued with khaki uniforms and rifles. May 20th 1915 they were mobilised and departed to France, May 21st, as part of the 43rd Brigade 14th (Light) Division, landing at Boulogne. James should not have departed with them as he was still underage for service overseas, however like many young men who lied about their age, he was eager to do his bit.
Three weeks later, the battalion was in the front line south of Ypres, where it suffered its first casualties before being moved to the Ypres Salient. On the salient, at the end of July 1915, the battalion successfully defended smashed trenches south of Hooge still filled with the dead from the previous day and their Division was the first to be attacked by flamethrowers. In this fighting the 10th Battalion lost over 170 men killed or wounded.
In June 1916, the battalion moved south to Arras participating during the Second Attack at Bellewaarde before being moved in early August to the Somme, where it joined the fighting to clear Delville Wood, July 15th- September 3rd 1916. During this engagement Private Ronan was wounded in action, August 14th 1916 and taken by the 13th Field Ambulance back through the lines to the 15th Corps Main Dressing Station at Dernancourt.
Private 16643 James Ronan died of wounds sustained August 14th 1916 and was interred that same day at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave I. C.17. He was 20 years old.
His widow Mary Ronan living at Gray’s Buildings, Heworth was informed of his death. She was awarded a pension of 10 shillings a week as of February 26th 1917 and as per his will received all monies due to him by the Army, his personal effects and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at her new address of 15, Lennox Street, Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham. James and Mary did not have any children.
Mary Ronan remarried at Gateshead during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1919 to William Grundy with whom she had twins Joseph and Ida E. Grundy, born at Lanchester in 1921.
James’s father John Ronan also perished during WW1 serving with the Mercantile Marine aboard S.S. Powhatan when it was torpedoed by a German submarine, April 6th 1917 off North Rona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland with the loss of 36 members of her crew and the capture of her Master.
His step-mother Margaret Ronan-Common nee McManus died at Gateshead, aged 60 years, in 1924.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/99/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private James Ronan, D.L.I., killed in action on August 21st, aged 21 years and 11 months. Husband of Mary Ronan (nee Armstrong) and son of John and stepson of Margaret Ronan, Heworth Lane.”
The edition dated 12/1917 states:
"James Ronan, died of wounds received in action Aug. 21st. Son of the late John Ronan and stepson of Margaret Ronan, Reay’s Buildings, Heworth Lane. The deceased’s soldier’s father was drowned at sea on April 6th, 1917.”
See Ronan John
James Ronan is remembered in Felling on F32.06 and F32.24 and in Windy Nook on W95.02 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 214.
