Illustrated Chronicle
Medal Index card
George Ingledew was born on the 2nd January 1893 and was baptised at St. James Church, Gateshead on the 2nd April of the same year. His parents were James and Jane Anne and he was one of three surviving children to the couple, with siblings Isabella and James.
At the time of George’s birth the family were living at 59 East Street. In both the 1901 and 1911 Census Returns the family were now living in two rooms at 4 Half Moon Lane in Gateshead, and father James was working as a railway labourer.
George married Lily Maud Shields on the 12th June 1914 at the Register Office in Gateshead. George was still living at 4 Half Moon Lane and Lily was residing at 25 Brewis Street. The couple had two children, George (born 1914) and Thomas (born 1916).
George initially enlisted into the 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and was later posted to the 9th Battalion. Unfortunately George’s military papers have not survived, so his precise date of transfer to the 9th Battalion is unknown. The absence of the 1914 or 1914/15 Star however indicates he did not serve in a theatre of war prior to 1916.
The 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) was formed at Newcastle on the 16th November 1914, by the Council of Newcastle & Gateshead Incorporated Chamber of Commerce. On the 8th February 1915 it became a Pioneer Battalion and in July of the same year they joined the 35th Division. Landing at Le Havre on the 29th January 1916 they saw action that year in the Battles of the Somme (Bazentin Ridge, the fighting for Arrow Head Copse, Maltzhorn Farm and Falfemont Farm).
In 1917 they fought in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Ypres (fighting in the Houthulst Forest and the Second Battle of Passchendaele). 1918 saw the Battalion fighting in the First Battles of the Somme (First Battle of Bapaume) and then the Final Advance in Flanders (Battle of Ypres, Battle of Courtrai and Tieghem).
The 9th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was formed in September 1914, also at Newcastle, and they landed in France in July 1915. Raised in response to Kitchener’s appeal it remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war, initially assigned to the 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division fighting in the Battle of the Somme (1916) and the Battle of Arras (1917).
On the 3rd August 1917, it was transferred to the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division and fought in The Third Battle of Ypres (1917), the First Battle of The Somme (1918), and the Battle of the Lys (1918). The battalion absorbed the 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry in September 1917, and became 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion).
Its final transfer was on 26th May 1918 to the 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division for the Final Advance in Picardy.
The Battle of the Lys (7th to 29th April 1918), also known as the Lys Offensive, was part of the German Spring Offensive in a final attempt by the Germans to break the Allied lines around Ypres.
On 11th April Field Marshall Haig issued his famous “backs to the wall” order; There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each of us must fight on to the end.
The 34th Division fought in many of the 7 phases of the Battle of the Lys;
The Battle of Estaires: (9th-11th April) where German forces broke through the Allied front to Estaires, causing heavy casualties to two Portuguese Divisions.
The Battle of Bailleul: (13th-15th April) where a German attack captured Bailleul. General Plumer withdrew British troops on his northern flank from Passchendaele to nearer Ypres.
The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge: (17th-19th April) where the British repulse a German attack on the high ground of Kemmelberg.
It is not known when George received his injuries, only that he died from his wounds in the 62nd Casualty Clearing Station on 16th April 1918.
A casualty is likely to have received attention first at an aid post, these were close to the front line position. They generally had a Medical Officer, orderlies and stretcher-bearers. The Field Ambulances (which were mobile medical units, and not vehicles) established Dressing Stations where a casualty could receive further treatment and if necessary were prepared for evacuation to a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS). This was a rearward move of several miles, undertaken either on foot, horse drawn wagon, motor ambulance, lorry or possibly by light railway.
Casualties would then normally be moved from the CCS to a Base Hospital for treatment. There were two types of Base Hospital; Stationary and General Hospitals, which were large facilities and in France and Flanders the British hospitals were often located near the coast. Close proximity to a port was important so men could be evacuated to Britain for further long-term treatment.
It is thought George was injured during the Battle of the Lys at either Estaires or Bailleul. The Division had suffered very heavy casualties throughout.
The cemetery was chosen for the 62nd [sometimes known as 1/2nd London C.C.S.], this was located at Bandringhem from the 25th June 1917 until the 15th April 1918, and the 63rd Casualty Clearing Stations, [known as the 1/1st London C.C.S.], which had just opened the day George was wounded at Arneke, and burials from these and other hospitals continued until October 1918. Bandaghem was a name given by the troops.
George was awarded the British War Medal and The Victory Medal for his services in the Great War.
His wife Lily had "At Rest" added to his headstone.
George’s brother James (who was born on the 2nd May 1891) also served; James Henry Ingledew, Sapper, Royal Engineers service number 149496, WR/253991. James attested on the 22nd November 1915 age 24 years, a married man living at 7 Sarah Street, Gateshead, and his occupation was a bridge painter.
Sadly George’s two sons both died at a young age. George died in 1927 age 12 years and he is buried in Gateshead and his brother Thomas was killed in WW2. A Gunner with the Royal Horse Artillery, number 930865, Thomas was killed on the 4th July 1942 age 26 years and he is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt.
His widow Lily Maud Ingledew of 16 Sarah Street in Gateshead remarried on the 22nd May 1920 at Gateshead Register Office to Michael Cox, widower.
Newcastle Chronicle 1918INGLEDEW- Died of wounds received in action, April 16th, 1918, aged 25, Pte. George Ingledew N.F., dearly beloved husband of Lily Ingledew, 16 Sarah Street. Deeply mourned by his wife and two children. Memorial service at St. Mary’s Church, Gateshead, on Saturday, at 3.30. All friends kindly invited.
INGLEDEW- Died of wounds, April 16th, 1918, Pte. George Ingledew, aged 25 years, son of James and Jane Anne Ingledew, 6 Sarah Street, Gateshead. The shining portals opened, a gentle voice said come, and with farewells unspoken he calmly entered home. Dearly loved in life, deeply mourned in death by his father and mother, sister and brother-in-law, nephews, and brother Jim (in France).
INGLEDEW-Died of wounds on 16th April, Private George Ingledew 19/1188 N.F. Ever remembered by his friends Mr. and Mrs. Forster and family, 83 Wingrove Avenue; also his sister-in-law Betty, and his brother James (in France). His duty nobly done.
Research : Jean Atkinson
George Ingledew is remembered at Gateshead in G39.004 page 27, and at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in NUT256 page 200.
