William Lunam

William Lunam was born June 22nd 1894, one of 10 children of whom only 6 survived he was the second born of 3 sons and 2 daughters. His father Thomas Lunam native of Mount Pleasant, County Durham born 1869 was married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1890 to Margaret Potts born 1871 at Felling, Gateshead. Newly married they were living at Brown’s Place, Felling where he was employed as a fireman at the colliery. By 1901 he had changed employment and was now labouring at the chemical works, living at Davidson Street with Adam (9), Agnes Allison (7), William (5), Dorothy (3) and newborn Mary Ann. Ten years later both William (17) and Adam (19) had chosen to work at the colliery as pit lads, Agnes Allison (17) assisted her mother at home, Dorothy (13), Mary Ann (11) and Thomas (6) were scholars.

William Lunam enlisted October 18th 1915 and assigned to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Naval Division as Able Seaman TZ/ 5991. He was sent to the Royal Naval Training Establishment HMS Victory I between October 19th 1915 until October 29th 1915 before being transferred to the battleship HMS Albemarle October 30th 1915 until September 19th 1916. The Albemarle served with the Channel Fleet before being sent to Russia to act as an icebreaker to get supplies through, he was then sent back to Victory I for 3 weeks and posted to HMS Excellent Gunnery Training School for 2 month October-November 1916 before transferring to HMS President 3 Shore Establishment, November 13th 1916 until January 30th 1919.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, November 23rd 1917 and after his discharge for time served November 1st 1918, the 1914-15 Star, British war Medal and Victory Medal. William died at Gateshead aged 73 years in 1967.

His elder brother Adam Lunam served as Private 825 Northumberland Fusiliers and killed in action June 22nd 1916 in France at the age of 24 years.

Brother-in-law Owen Diamond also served with the Northumberland Fusiliers as a Private and survived the conflict.

His father Thomas Lunam died in 1918 aged 49 years, mother Margaret Lunam nee Potts aged 58 years in 1930, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.

Youngest brother Thomas Lunamborn at Felling in 1905 served with the 9th Durham Light Infantry during WW2 and was killed in action May 31st 1940 in Belgium. Interred Bulskamp Churchyard grave 444397.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.