Photo: Geordie at War Project
Tyne Cot Memorial
In Gateshead East Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
Ald. William John
Costelloe
who died Aug. 6th 1914
aged 55 years.
Also Minnie
beloved wife of the above
who died May 25th 1937
aged 74 years.
Also William Henry son of the above
who died Sept. 30th 1883
aged 4 years and 8 months.
Also their dear son
Lewis
Killed in action at
Passchendaele
Oct. 26th 1917 aged 23 years.
Brenda McMahon submitted the following :-
Lewis was the son of William John & Minnie (nee Heppell) Costelloe. The couple had 4 children of whom one died. Lewis was born at Gateshead on 14 January 1895 and was baptised on 6 February at St Joseph’s R.C. Church.
Lewis had 3 brothers Bertram, Jonathan and William (who probably died young). Bertram became a farmer in Northumberland whilst Jonathan and Lewis both joined the family pawnbroking business.
By 1911 the family had moved from their home in Oxford Terrace Gateshead to Cullercoats.
William, his father was twice Mayor of Gateshead 1910/1911 and again 1911/1912. He was the second Roman Catholic to be elected Mayor of Gateshead. He gave several gifts to the town including the Mayoress' chain on Coronation Day 1911 and also a marble altar to St Joseph’s R.C. Church. William died in 1914 leaving a huge estate of £45,435.
Lewis joined the army & served with 1st/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (service no 242532).
He was killed in action in 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial which bears the name of 35,000 officers & men whose graves are not known.
Lewis left £15,662 in his will.
Lewis Costelloe is remembered at Cullercoats on C68.01 and in the Battalion Roll of Honour
