Hugh Devine

Hugh Devine born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1894 was one of 7 children of whom only 5 survived he was the youngest of 3 sons and had 2 sisters, also a half sister born from his father Hugh Devine’s first marriage. Hugh Devine was born 1843 in Ireland and married his second wife in 1881 at Gateshead, Isabella Tollen born 1853 in Scotland. Employed as a general labourer in 1891 the Devine family were living at 34, Quarry Row, Felling, brother-in-law William Tollan lived with them, employed as a goods porter. At the age of 17 daughter Mary was a dressmaker’s apprentice and William (15) was employed at the colliery offices dealing with the post. High's father died in 1902 aged 53 years when he was 8 years old, by 1911 living at 6, Catherine Street, Felling, Hugh (17) and his brother Thomas (21) were both employed as miners supporting not only their widowed mother but also their sister Sarah Ann (8) and niece Anna Donnelly.

Aged 21 years, having enlisted at Felling, September 3rd 1914, he was assigned to the Royal Field Artillery joining his unit at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, September 12th. Driver 21384 Devine was promoted to the rank of Bombardier, April 14th 1915 and departed attached to the 245th Battery, 78th (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 17th (Northern) Division, July 11th 1915, bound for France. He saw action on the Ypres salient in Belgium and the battlefields of the Somme 1916. At his own request he reverted to the rank of Driver, September 23rd 1916. The artillery moved with the Division in 1917 to the Arras sector and again to the battlefields of Flanders during the Battle of Passchendaele. It returned to France participating during the First and Second Battles of the Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance to Artois in 1918.

Whilst on leave he was married at St. Patrick, Felling, October 10th 1918 to Edith Kirtley born at Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, in 1894. He returned to the Western Front and after the Armistice came into effect, November 11th 1918 was demobilised, December 6th 1918 and transferred to Class Z Reserve. He was free to return to his employment but having agreed to serve for the duration of the war was liable to recall should hostilities with Germany resume, he was eventually discharge March 31st 1920.

Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.

Hugh’s brother Thomas Devine also served during WW1 as Private 386199 Royal Army Medical Corps. He contracted pneumonia and died October 18th 1918 at the 1st Australian Hospital Rouen and interred at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. He was 28 years of age and single. Recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Medal.

His mother Isabella Devine nee Tollen died at Gateshead in 1925 aged 72 years. Hugh Devine died at Gateshead in 1951 aged 57 years, Edith Devine nee Kirtley aged 62 years in 1957, registered in the district of Durham N.E.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Hugh Devine is remembered at Felling on F32.24 and at Windy Nook as Hugh Divine W95.02