Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Joseph Laws was born April 24th 1887 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, one 6 known children he was the third born of 5 sons and had a younger sister Mary, born April 21st 1889 who died in infancy aged 3 years old in 1893. His father Matthew Laws was born at Kilcurry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1859, the son of James Laws and Mary Devlin. Having come to England he settled at Felling employed as a cooper and was married at Gateshead in 1881 to Hannah Norah Willis, known as Norah, native of Bishop Auckland, County Durham born in 1864. Newly married they lived at 6, Flag Terrace, Gateshead later moving to 11, Depford Road. Unfortunately, Hannah Norah Laws nee Willis died in 1895 aged only 31 years, Matthew went to live with his widowed mother at 4 Flag Terrace along with William (18), David (8) and Alfred (6). During the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1901 at the age of 45 Matthew Laws passed away, the boys were continued to be cared for by their grandmother.
William Joseph Laws married October 13th 1906 at St Wilfred, Gateshead to Mary Elizabeth Mackin with whom by 1911 he had had 3 children, Nora Jane born in 1907 died aged 1 year in 1908, Margaret born April 6th 1909 and Agnes born July 20th 1910. They were living at 22, Balmoral Terrace, Felling, where Willian Joseph was employed as a coal miner-hewer, also living at their home was his youngest brother Alfred (16) who was employed as a pony driver below ground at the colliery and his wife’s sister Margaret Mackin (26) a dressmaker. His wife gave birth to a further 3 children, George October 19th 1911, William May 15th 1913 and Mary Jane June 29th 1914.
On the outbreak of war he left his employment and enlisted at Felling, August 31st 1914 assigned as Private 18920 Durham Light Infantry. He was one of the second wave of volunteers to leave Newcastle-upon-Tyne for Woking in Surrey to form a second Service Battalion, the 11th Battalion D.L.I. With no uniforms or rifles the men drilled wearing their own clothes. In November 1914 the battalion moved into huts at Pirbright where they were issued with blue serge uniforms, obsolete rifles and leathers. In early January 1915 due to the large numbers of miners in its ranks the 11th Battalion was attached to the 20th Division’s Pioneer battalion. In March 1915 they received their khaki issue uniforms and new rifles, their training was intensified and by late June they were ready to depart for the Western Front.
The 11th Battalion with the rest of the 20th Division departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force July 20th 1915 arriving in France the following day. As a Pioneer battalion they were deployed as labourers but also fought as infantry when required. They were put to work behind the lines repairing roads before moving to the front line to drain the mud filled trenches and strengthen barbed wire defences. In 1916 during the Battle of the Somme the battalion often worked at night repairing old and digging new trenches.
During his time at the front Private Laws was hospitalised twice, firstly December 19th 1915, suffering from enteritis he spent 6 days at the Advance Regulating Station before returning to duty and June 21st 1916 he was taken by the 4th Field Ambulance back through the line and admitted to the 7th General Hospital at St. Omer suffering from fever caused by a spinal infection. He remained there for almost one month before re-joining his battalion.
In early September two companies of the 11th Battalion fought as infantrymen to capture the ruins of Guillermont. Private 18920 William Joseph Laws Durham Light Infantry was killed in action September 3rd 1916, his body buried on the battlefield at map reference 57c. T 25. a.9. 2.
His wife received a letter, August 29th 1920 from The Colonel in Charge, No.1 Infantry Record Office, York, it reads, “ Madam, I beg to inform you that owing to the agreement with the French and Belgium Governments to remove all scattered graves for concentration in proper cemeteries, it has been found necessary to exhume the body of the late No. 18920 Pte W. Laws 11th Bn, Durham Light Infantry, for reburial at GUILLERMONT ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY 2 Miles WEST of CONBLES and 63/4 Miles SOUTH SOUTH WEST of BAPAUME. I am to say that the necessity for the removal is much regretted, but was found unavoidable for the reason above given. I am to assure you that the work of reburial has been carried out with every measure of care and reverence, and that special arrangements were made for the appropriate religious service to be held. I am, Madam, Yours faithfully.
Private Laws is now at rest within Guillermont Road British Cemetery, grave VII. B. 8. At the time of his demise he was 29 years old
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children of 27 shillings 6 pence as of March 26th 1917 to be increased to 31 shillings 3 pence April 4th 1917 and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In 1919 Mary Elizabeth was still living at 22, Balmoral Terrace Felling with her children and William Joseph’s brothers David and Alfred. She remarried at Gateshead in 1921 to her husband’s brother Alfred Laws, 6 years her junior. Mary Elizabeth Laws nee Mackin died November 29th 1958, registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The death of Pte. Law was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 13/10/1916:
"Private William J. Law, (sic) D.L.I., killed in action on Sept. 4th.(sic) Husband of Mary E. Law, 22, Balmoral Terrace, Felling."
William Joseph Laws is remembered in Gateshead on G39.123 and at Felling on F32.06
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 234 for September 4th.
