Heslop's Local Advertiser
Menin Gate
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Benjamin Bashton was the third born son and one of 9 children born 1890 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. His father Thomas Henry Bashton of Burnhope, County Durham born 1850 and his mother Jane Meggison born 1860 at Newfield, County Durham, were married July 5th 1879 at All Saints, Monkwearmouth Sunderland. Only 7 of their children survived, their daughter Julia died aged 2 years in 1883, son Samuel died aged 1 year in 1886. Thomas Henry was employed as a coal miner, in 1891 they were living at No. 3, Old Ford Colliery House, St, James, Gateshead, County Durham, by 1901 they had moved to number 15, George (17) the eldest of their sons was also employed at the colliery as a putter below ground. Benjamin joined his brothers and father as a miner and in 1911 they were living at 10, Elliott Street, Felling.
A few months later, aged 21 years, Benjamin married during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/June) 1911 at Gateshead, Elizabeth Ellen Ord and with whom he had 2 children George William born October 28th 1912 and Eleanor in 1914. On the outbreak of war Benjamin enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne as Private 2877, assigned to the 1st/6th Battalion, a Territorial Force, Northumberland Fusiliers. Attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division they departed for the Western Front, April 20th 1915 and were moved to Belgium where they took part in the Second Battle of Ypres which began 2 days later, April 22nd and raged until May 25th 1915.
At roll call Private Bashton was reported as missing and later presumed to have died, only one week after his arrival at the front, April 27th 1915. He was 25 years old.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 33, Wellington Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. She also received a pension for herself and their 2 children until she remarried in 1921 James Wilson and moved to 13, Davidson Street, Felling.
Benjamin’s father Thomas Henry Bashton died at 10, Elliott Street, Felling, aged 76, December 10th 1926, his mother Jane Bashton nee Meggison at 151, Malvern Road, Billingham, in 1947 aged 87 years. His son George William Bashton died in 1989 at Gateshead aged 77 years details of daughter Eleanor and Elizabeth Wilson-Bashton nee Ord unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/07/1916:
"Private Benjamin Bashton, N.F., previously reported missing from April 27th 1915, now reported dead. Son of Thomas and Jane Bashton, of Felling. "
His brother Thomas Henry also served and survived the war.
