Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Hush was born 1891 at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham, one of 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters, all of whom survived. His father James was born at Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland in 1859, he married Ann Naithy Hauxwell born 1866, native of Eachwick, Northumberland at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1881. A coal miner by trade he moved with his family to Split Crow Court, Heworth and by 1911 living at 39 Crow Hall Lane, Windy Nook he was a waste-man at the colliery, Thomas worked at Heworth Colliery at the bank as a waggon-way man, his elder sister Elizabeth was employed as a packer at Pelaw Wholesale Drug Store while Isabella and Beatrice stayed at home, his brother James was married and lived elsewhere.
Thomas Hush enlisted at Deaf Hill near Trimdon, County Durham, September 1914 and was assigned as Private 14046 8th Battalion Yorkshire Hussars Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Regiment. The battalion moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone and Maidstone in Kent, landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August 1915, concentrating near Tilques. September 5th 1915 the battalion attached to the 68 Brigade, 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos with 23rd Division held the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March, they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid-April, they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid-May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. June 11th the 23rd Division Infantry began intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison July 1st and the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14th 1916.
Wounded during the battle Private Hush was taken by Field Ambulance to the hospital area at Heilly, location of the 36th, 38th and 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations. Private 14064 Thomas Hush Yorkshire Regiment died of wounds sustained July 15th 1916. He was interred at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme France, grave II. B. 33. Such were the number of casualties buried there that not only are the gravestones in this cemetery touching but some plots contain 3 burials. These gravestones in particular through lack of space have no badges inscribed, 117 badges of various regiments are carved on the cloister wall at the north-east side of the cemetery.
Private Hush was 25 years old and single, he nominated his parents James and Ann as joint beneficiaries and they received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. They commissioned an inscription to be added to his military headstone at a cost of 14 shillings, it reads,”Beloved Son of J & A Hush Felling-He Gave His Life For Others."
Thomas Hush died aged 69 years in 1928, his wife Ann Naithy Hush nee Hauxwell in 1946 aged 80 years, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/8/1916:
"Private T. Hush, Yorkshire Regiment, died from wounds received in action, aged 25 years. Son of Jas. and Annie Hugh, 39 Crow Hall Lane, Felling."
He is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
