Heslop's Local Advertiser
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord
Christopher and his wife Margaret
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Christopher Berry Longworth born December 25th 1882 at Usworth, district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, one of 11 known children he was the 3rd born son of 5 and had 4 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father William Longworth native of Radcliffe, Bury, Lancashire born 1842 married at Bishop Auckland in 1867 to Elizabeth Jane Roddam, born at Kelloe, County Durham in 1849. Newly married by 1871 they had settled at 196, Front Row, Usworth with their daughter Jane Ann 11months old, also Isabella Roddam, Elizabeth's sister and her mother Jane, now remarried, surname, Berry. William Longworth was employed as a coal miner all his life and for a time was employed at Usworth Colliery, he died in 1897 aged 55 years. Elizabeth had moved to 4, Square Houses, Heworth by 1901, supported by Christopher (18) employed as an assistant weight-man at engineers tool works and an inn keeper and John (14) working as a screener at the colliery. Daughter Maria (16) remained at home whilst Elizabeth (9) and Thomas (7) were scholars, living with her was Hannah Wardle aged 2, her granddaughter.
Elizabeth Longworth nee Roddam died during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/March) 1904 aged 55 years, only a very short time before Christopher was married during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/June) 1904 at Gateshead to a local girl Margaret Ann Stewart born 1883. To support his family he was employed as a coal miner/hewer initially living for a while near Gateshead where his wife gave birth to Frances Stewart Longworth January 27th 1904 and Elizabeth Jane November 2nd 1906, then having returned to Great Usworth son William was born October 2nd 1907 and Charles in 1910 who died in 1911. In 1911 they resided at 11, Candy Bank, Great Usworth, by the time their youngest child Margaret Ann Stewart Longworth was born February 11th 1913 they had returned to Heworth.
Christopher Berry Longworth enlisted at Felling, Gateshead, November 6th 1914 assigned as Private 21394 to the Durham Light Infantry. joining the Regiment at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne two days later and posted to the 17th Battalion. The battalion moved from the depot to Barnard Castle occupying the 4th D.L.I.’s old camp at Deerbolt. They began their training and Private Longworth rose quickly throughout the ranks, within 3 months he was Temporary Serjeant until October 9th 1915 as Acting Serjeant he was transferred to the 15th Battalion and departed to France where he joined his Regiment in the field attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. Both the 14th and 15th Battalion were recovering from the heavy losses sustained during the Battle of Loos and spent the winter in the trenches at Armentieres.
During day to day trench warfare he took a gun-shot wound to the back and multiple shots to the abdomen, December 30th 1915 and was taken by the 64th Field Ambulance to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul, an important hospital centre, air depot and railhead.
Acting Serjeant 21394 Christopher Berry Longworth Durham Light Infantry died at 11.40 p.m. December 31st 1915 of his wounds, interred at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France, grave II. C. 17. He was 33 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him and after proof that he was the father of Frances Stewart Longworth who was born prior to their marriage, Margaret Ann received a pension for herself and their 4 children of 22 shillings 6 pence a week as of July 17th 1916. She also received at her home address of 2, Crow Hall Cottage, Holly Hill, Felling, his personal effects and awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal but queried if he had been put forward for a higher award, presumably based upon information received prior to her husband’s death. The War Office replied that no record existed to that effect. Margaret Ann paid the sum of 16 shillings 4 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered By His Loving Wife And Family, Brothers And Sisters”.
Margaret Ann Longworth nee Stewart did not remarry, she died aged only 47 years at Gateshead in 1930. Details as regards Christopher and Margaret’s Children; Francis Stewart Longworth died June 21st 1936 at Wandsworth, London aged 32, Elizabeth Jane married Robert D. Bell, died August 13th 1981 at Gateshead, County Durham, aged 74, William died at Gateshead, County Durham, in 1974 aged 67, Charles died at Usworth, County Durham, aged 1 year in 1911, Margaret Ann Stewart Longworth married George Reed and died March 21st 2001 at Ashford, Middlesex, aged 88 years.
The CWGC have listed this serviceman as Serjeant, all official documents during his service and after his death from official sources nominate him as Acting Serjeant.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/01/1916:
"Sergt. C.B. Longworth, of 15th Batt., D.L.I., aged 33 years, killed in action in France on Dec. 31st. Husband of Margaret Longworth of 40 Split Crow Lane, Felling."
Christopher Berry Longworth is remembered at Windy Nook School on W95.15
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 342
