Photo: Geordie at War Project
In Gateshead East Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
In memory of
2nd Lieut. James Dick 9th D.L.I.
killed in action Oct. 28th 1917
Aged 25 years.
Interred Mendingham British Cemetery
Proven, Ypres
Thomas, died Aug. 17th 1922 aged 21 years
beloved sons of
Robert and Annie Dick
Also the above Annie Dick
died 20th March 1952 aged 64 years
and Robert Dick
died 27th June 1954 aged ? years
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following :-
James was the eldest son of George Robert (millwright) and Annie. He was born at Gateshead in 1892. His parents had 10 children 1 of whom died. His siblings were Florence (day school teacher), William (apprentice machinist), Robert (apprentice electrician), Sarah, Thomas, Norman, Alfred and Campbell. James himself was an apprentice engineer turner and fitter.
James was killed in action in October 1917. He died of wounds & is buried at a cemetery near Ypres.
The following obituary was printed in the Yorkshire Post & Leeds Intelligencer on Saturday 03/11/1917 shortly after his death. “He went to the front with the Durham’s as a bugler, won the Military Medal and after receiving his commission returned to the front last July”.
His father added the following words to his headstone:- Earth’s joys grow dim Its glories pass away.
James Dick is remembered at Gateshead on G39.003 and G39.004 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 298
