Heslop’s Local Advertiser 24/8/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Balfour Moultrie was born November 17th 1891 at Gateshead-on-Tyne, the youngest son of David Moultrie born about 1839 at Gateside near Fife, Scotland and his wife Mary Harkness native of Felling, near Gateshead County Durham born 1856, whom he married in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1876. The couple had 5 children all of whom survived, 4 sons and a daughter. William’s father who worked as a general labourer in 1901 whilst they were living at 19, Davidson Terrace, Heworth, died aged 70 years of age, in the district of Gateshead, in 1909. His widow moved with her unmarried sons Gideon and William and daughter Euphemia to 9, Rochester Terrace, Felling-on-Tyne. Gideon worked as a butcher, Euphemia as a machinist whilst William now 19 years of age is listed as an employer having a hairdressing establishment.
William Balfour Moultrie enlisted at Felling and was assigned as Private 31684 to the Durham Light Infantry in 1914 and later transferred, either at his own request or due to over subscription, to the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers one of the Pals Battalions raised at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, January 1915, as Private 41051. After initial training near home, they joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915, moving to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. Embarked as part of the British Expeditionary Force they landed in France, January 1916, where the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. The 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First Battle of the Scarpe part of the Arras Offensive April 9th-May 4th 1917.
Private 41051 William Balfour Moultrie was killed in action on the first day of battle April 4th 1917, his body buried on the battlefield by his comrades. After Armistice, his body along with 9 others, 2 of whom unknown, was exhumed and brought into Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-En-Gohelle, Pas de Calais, France. Reburied with all reverence and honour, he is at rest, grave VIII. K. 40.
As his sole beneficiary, his mother received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 3, Noble Street, Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham.
Mary Moultrie nee Harkness died in the district of Gateshead aged 79 years in 1935.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 24/08/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Private William Balfour Moultree, (sic) N.F., previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, April 9th, 1917, aged 25 years. Youngest son of Mary and the late David Moultree, of 9, Rochester Terrace, Felling, and grandson of the late David and Elizabeth Harkness, of Felling. Pte. Moultree was particularly well known, he having, previous to enlisting, carried on business as a hairdresser, at 97, High Street, Felling.”
He is remembered in Heworth on H92.03
