Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Praino has submitted the following:-
Joel Edward (Edwin) Kitchingman was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1897, one of 8 children of whom only 7 survived, he was the elder of 2 sons and had 5 sisters. His parents, both natives of Felling, Edward Austin (Edwin) Kitchingman and Margaret Carmichael were born in 1866 and married at Gateshead in 1886. His father was employed as a coal miner, newly married they settled at Park Road, Felling, by 1901 they had moved to 15, Elsdon Street and had 5 children including Joel. Aged only 14 years Joel joined his father at the colliery, both employed as hewers below ground, his sister Jane (11) and brother Edward (8) were scholars. Living with them in 5 rooms at 52, Brompton Terrace, Whickham as boarders were Richard Armstrong (31), James Cafferty (30) and John Pharaoh (29), all three employed as coal miner/hewers.
On the outbreak of war Joel was 17 years old, just too young to enlist in the Army, and underage to serve overseas. He may well have told an untruth as regards his age in order to enlist and was assigned as Able Seaman Tyneside Z1585 Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. The R.N.V.R. was formed by members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and volunteers who were not needed for service in the Army, an idea of the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty. They were formed into 8 battalions, Drake, Benbow, Hawke, Collingwood, Nelson, Howe, Hood and Anson.
Attached to Hawke Battalion, 63rd Division he departed as part of the British Mediterranean Force from Davenport bound for Lemnos, February 6th 1915. By March 19th the Division was stationed off the Gallipoli Peninsular, however as the “great Naval attack” on the 18th had failed they were landed at Port Said in Egypt. Here they remained in order to become acclimatised and undergoing training for life in the front line trenches, they re-embarked for Mundros, April 8th 1915. April 28th 1915 Hawke Battalion along with Plymouth Battalion and the 2nd Royal Navy Brigade took part in the 1st Battle of Krithia, May 1st-2nd all three again engaged the enemy at Eski Hissarlik. At the conclusion of the 3rd Battle of Krithia, June 4th 1915, Able Seaman Kitchingman was wounded and evacuated to England for treatment. He re-joined his unit July 9th 1915 still fighting in the Dardanelles. He was wounded a second time whilst on active service at Alexandria and died of his wounds December 5th 1915, he was 19 years old.
The sacrifice of the then Leading Seaman Tyneside Z/1585 Joel Edward (Edwin) Kitchingman R.N.V. R.is recorded on Special Memorial B 21 within Skew Bridge Cemetery on the road to Krithia, Turkey (including Gallipoli) where he is believed to be buried.
His parents living at 2, South View, Whaggs Lane, Whickham, received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.His father Edward Austin (Edwin) Kitchingman died in 1930 aged 65 years, his mother Margaret Kitchingman nee Carmichael aged 71 years in 1937, both registered at Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/1/1916:
"L-S Joel Edwin Kitchingman, R.N.V.R., 4th Batt. R.N.D., died of wounds at Alexandria, on 5th Dec. Son of Margt. and Edwin Kitchingman (late of Felling)."
Joel Edwin Kitchingman is remembered at Whickham on W86.01 W86.03 and W86.05
