Photo: Geordie at War Project
Photo: Geordie at War Project
TR/5/171023 Lance Cpl.
H.C. Sanson
Durham Light Infantry
25th November 1918
There is also a family headstone for Sanson which:
In
Loving Memory of
Harry Campbell Sanson,
Lance Corporal 52nd D.L.I. son of
James and Harriet Sanson
Who died at the Military Hospital,
Catterick Camp
Nov. 25th 1918 Aged 18 years and 9 months.
Also his mother and father
Harriet Sanson
who died March 31st 1951 aged 87 years
and James Sanson
who died June 22 1951 aged 88 years
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Henry (aka Harry) was born at Gateshead in 1900 to parents James Izzett C Sanson and his wife Harriet (nee Hurst). The couple had married in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 1899.
The following year their first son Harry was born then in 1907 another son, John Robert arrived.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 134 Whitehall Road West, Gateshead. Harry’s father (who was born at Berwick on Tweed) worked as a book keeper for a leather merchant. By 1911 the Sanson’s had moved to 246 Enfield Terrace which was a larger house for their growing family. Living with them at that time was Elizabeth, the mother of James.
Harry joined up and was posted to the 52nd Graduating Battalion, D.L.I. He served at Cottesloe camp, Catterick.
In 1917 the system for training conscripts was changed with Young Soldiers and Graduating battalions being formed. Under this system conscripts aged 18 years 1 month were first sent to a Young Soldiers battalion, and then, after basic training moved into a Graduating battalion to complete their training. Every 3 months this system produced a company of (about 200) trained 19-year-old soldiers ready for active service overseas.
At the age of 18 years 9 months his training was almost complete. Unfortunately he became ill then died at the Catterick Military Hospital on Monday 25 November 1918 shortly after the Armistice was signed. His death was due to pneumonia.
£5.12.1d which was pay due to him was sent to his father.
Harriet died 31st March 1951 followed only 3 months later by her husband James on 22nd June 1951. The couple lived at 240 Eastbourne Avenue at that time. James left an estate of £3744 which was left to his remaining son, John Robert.
Acknowledgements: Rev. David Youngson
Henry Campbell Sanson is remembered at Gateshead onG39.004 and G39.033
He is not remembered in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance.
