Arras Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
James McGiffen, my grandmother’s first cousin, was born at Pottery Yard, Felling Shore, on October 11th 1879, eldest son and first born child of William Mc Giffen (1854 Ireland - 1936 South Shields) and Mary Smith (1859 Penrith - 1938 South Shields.) He was one of seven surviving children, (2 deceased,) five boys and two girls. His father was a steel smelter at the shipyards and James himself at the age of 21 was a steel moulder.
In September 1906 he married Margaret Hermison Turnbull in Gateshead and set up home at 47 Wolseley Street, Teams. They had two children.
James’s military record was one of the 70% or so destroyed during the blitz of WW2. However conscription for married men was introduced in May 1916. He first enlisted as 5734 (regiment unknown) and then as Private 352403 James McGiffen, The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) 8th Battalion, 1st Division. He was sent to France and killed in action April 23rd 1917, the first day of the Battle of Scarpe, one of the Battles of Arras. He was 37 years old. He has no known grave. His name is one of the 34,795 inscribed on the Arras Memorial To The Missing, Royal Scots bay 1 and 2. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
In mid 2014 I made an application and provided proof for his name to be included on the supplementary list of the Gateshead Roll of Honour. It was accepted in November 2014.
Two of James’s brothers also served in WW1, Robert McGiffendied 1916 and Joseph McGiffendied 1918.
His widow, Margaret, died three years later in 1919 leaving their children, William James aged eleven and Susannah aged six, orphans. The release of the 1921 census will hopefully allow me to find out what became of these children.
Remembered with immense pride. In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James McGiffen is remembered in Gateshead on G39.123
