Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Carter Embleton was born at Heworth, Gateshead, in 1896, the youngest of 2 known sons and a daughters born to William Valentine Embleton born 1863 and his wife, widow Margaret Agnes Renninson born 1858, both natives of Heworth, where they were married in 1889. His wife had a daughter from her previous marriage, Elizabeth Jane born 1882. William Snr aged 18 years began his career as a cooper, by 1901, a few years after his marriage, living at Drake Street, Heworth he was a building inspector at Felling Urban District Council. Unfortunately Margaret Agnes died, aged only 51 years, in 1910 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, when William Carter was just 14 years old. Looking after him and his sister Alice fell to his elder brother Thomas Athley Embleton (21) who was a colliery clerk, whilst William aged 15 was employed as a municipal clerk, Alice (11) was a scholar, in 1911 they were living together at 3 Springbank Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, employing Edith Annie Kyle as housekeeper. Their father resided in 1911 at Windsor House, Jesmond Road, Newcastle, which appears to have been some kind of boarding house run by Mrs. Isabella Hall, he is still listed as a building inspector, he died later that year.
William Carter Embleton enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in September 1914, assigned as Private 118 to the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Pals battalion attached to the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. They began training near home then moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved to Wensley and Richmond in Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain and were drafted to France November 22nd 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme, during his service Private Embleton rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal William Carter Embleton was killed in action on the first day of the Battles of the Somme, July 1st 1916, aged 20 years and single. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names of servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Thiepval, France pier and face 10/11/12B, which commemorates those who fell 1915-March 20th 1918 on the Somme and who have no known grave.
His brother Thomas Athley Embleton along with Thomas J. Williams Esq. executors received all monies due to him from the military. Prior to his demise he had been living at Warenford, Pelaw, near Gateshead, probate was granted at Durham, December 5th 1916 in the sum of 315 pounds 4 shillings 2 pence to Thomas James Williams house agent and Thomas Athey Embleton now a Wesleyan Methodist Minister. His brother also received his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/9/1916:
"Lance-Corporal William C. Embleton, N.F., killed in action on July 1st. Son of the late William V. Embleton (formerly member of Felling Urban District Council) and the late Mrs. Embleton of Newcastle."
He is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 at Bill Quay on B119.01 in Gateshead High Street West Magazine and in Newcastle on NUT043 NUT052 NUT070 and NUT126
