Mckie brothers

Mckie names

HMHS Brighton

Fusehill War Hospital

Henry McKie was born at Felling, April 2nd 1886, one of 7 children, of whom only 3 survived, he was the 2nd eldest of 3 sons. His parents Henry McKie born 1853 at Felling and Catherine Hollywood born at Heworth, June 23rd 1859 were married January 15th 1881. Henry was employed as a bricklayer in 1891, living at Park Road, Felling, with his wife and Daniel (6), Annie (5) who died 1892 at the age of 6 and Henry born 1890 who died in 1891 aged 1 year. Ten years later they had moved to 62, North Tyne Street, parish of St. James’s, Gateshead, Henry ’s wife had given birth to a further 2 children Alexander (8) and Henry Jnr (5), who along with Daniel (16) were scholars, attending St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Boys School, Felling. By 1911 the family had moved back to 36, Neville Street, Felling, Henry Snr was employed at the pit below ground as a colliery mason, sons Alexander (18) and Henry Jnr. (15) also worked below ground as drivers, Daniel had left home having married in 1908.

Henry’s brother Alexander had already enlisted in the Army prior to the commencement of war, his brother Daniel in 1914, he too followed their lead enlisting, March 31st 1914 at Felling for a period of 4 years, declaring he was 18 years of age. He was attested and assigned as Private 1999, to the 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, following the declaration of war, August 5th 1914, joining his brothers. Over the next 9 months, after spending a few weeks digging trenches at South Shields as part of the coastal defences, the battalion was formed into 4 companies and began training at Ravensworth, Boldon and Newcastle-upon-Tyne for service overseas. The battalion departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station, April 19th 1915, sailing from Folkestone they disembarked at Boulogne the following day.

Within days, without any nursery training, they were fighting in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium sustaining heavy casualties from shell and gas attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde ridges. May 25th 1915 Henry was taken by the 10th Field Ambulance to Vlamertinghe suffering from the effects of gas inhalation, after initial treatment he was sent to the 2nd General Hospital at Le Havre where he remained until June 5th. Private McKie was discharged and returned to the 50th Division Base Depot in France, June 8th, rejoining the 1st/9th Battalion in the field, June 12th 1916, as part of the reinforcements sent to Belgium. During the fighting that ensued between February 2nd and March 3rd 1916, Private Henry McKie was treated for shell shock on three occasions firstly at the Casualty Clearing Stations and admitted to hospital at Etaples. April 4th 1916 he was repatriated aboard Hospital Ship Brighton, a steam ship owned by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railways, running the Newhaven to Dieppe route, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy upon the commencement of hostilities as a troop ship and subsequently a hospital ship. He was posted July 3rd 1916 to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry as part of the Tyne Defences where he was also retrained for active service before posting to the 5th Reserve Battalion, September 1st 1916. Drafted back to the front as Private 325160, November 19th 1916, via Folkestone to Boulogne, he was posted to the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. Private McKie remained at Etaples until being posted back to the 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, December 29th 1916, now on the Somme, joining his unit in the field January 12th 1917.

By the spring of 1917 the 1st/9th Battalion had moved to the Arras sector where it was involved during the Battle of Arras, April 9th-May 16th 1917 and after another winter spent in the mud filled trenches Private McKie was given 14 days leave to return to the UK, January 4th-18th 1918. January 1918 the battalion reverted to a Pioneer Battalion, digging and repairing dugouts, moving supplies and were attached to the 62nd (West Riding) Division, however, they were called upon to fight as infantrymen as and when needed.

The Germans attacked once again on the Somme front, March 21st 1918, and the 1st/9th battalion was rushed to the area, the Pioneers also took part in the fighting, March 28th. Private McKie sustained wounds. "Just breaking daylight enemy barrage came down front line trench. Private was struck in left hand between thumb and forefinger by missile from shell (on above date) hand was dressed. Whilst proceeding to R.A.P. he was wounded a second time to rt hand rather more seriously. Finger badly shattered and was practically hanging, dressed by R. Amc orderly at R.A.P. and sent to ..illegible…to C.C.S. & finally 28th General Hospital: 29/3/1918." Private McKie was repatriated and admitted to Fusehill War Hospital, Carlisle, Cumberland, March 4th 1918. Although his general health remained good the wounds to his hands healed badly, he lost part of his fingers on both hands, required skin grafts and his joint movement was impaired. He appeared before a medical board, September 16th 1918 and was declared to be permanently unfit.

Private 1999 (325160) Henry McKie Durham Light Infantry was discharged September 18th 1918 under King’s Regulations 392(xvi) "no longer physically fit for war service," silver badge number B11075. Private McKie was also the recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His brother Alexander also survived the conflict, however Daniel died of wounds, September 16th 1916 whilst serving in France.

Patricia remarried December 31st 1963 to Philip Allan Lane.Henry returned to his home and found employment as a dental technician. He was married May 21st to Jane Wright with whom he had 3 daughters. Patricia Jane McKie was born July 22nd 1922, she married Flying Officer (Pilot) 171815 Raymond Hodgson, R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve, January 29th 1944, he died, "at home" only a few months later, August 20th 1944 and is at rest within St Mary Heworth Churchyard, New Yard, Plot G, grave 95. Patricia remarried December 31st 1963 to Philip Allan Lane. Patricia Jane Lane-Hodgson nee McKie died at Gateshead, County Durham in 2003, aged 81 years. Joan McKie born 1926 married Thomas S Pearson in 1946 and Mona McKie born 1928 married James O’Conner in 1956.

Henry McKie of 10, Ell-Dene Crescent, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, died December 14th 1974, probate at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, March 18th 1975.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Henry McKie is remembered at Felling on F32.24