Albert Edward Haram was born on the 18th August 1884, at 29 Waugh Street, Gateshead, baptised on the 21st September 1884, the second eldest of five children to William Haram, [born the 3rd January 1857 at Newbald, baptised 19th April in the Parish Church of St Nicholas], and his wife Frances [nee Bell], born 1861, West Boldon, died January 1923. They were married on the 6th December 1880. The other children were William Haram, junior, born 1882, [who married a Mary Ethel Robertson, {born in Stockton}, in 1910], he was a postman, (he was in the West Yorkshire Regiment service nu 50632}, died in 1958, Ellen Haram, born 9th September 1889, married a John Albert Gault, [born 2nd March 1896], on the 8th April 1922, [their son Colin Gault, was a wing commander in WW2], Frederick, born 13th September 1894, was a Gas meter reader, married a Barbara Watson, [born 25th June 1897 Whitehills, Banffshire], on the 14th September 1918. She died 3rd April 1975. [In 1939 they were residing at 7 Rayleigh Grove, Gateshead, with two children William Alexander Watson Haram, born 27th October 1923, died 31st October 2003, who was an Office Messenger and George W. Haram, born 1st December 1918, an Apprentice Metal (Iron) Moulder, who was in the RNVR as an Able Seaman], Frederick was also a Warden in the Gateshead ARP.

Florence born 22nd October 1901, married a Peter Allan Charlton [born 31st August 1894], in 1933. [In 1939 they were residing at 17 Hilda Terrace, Newburn, Northumberland, with two children, Peter was a Deal Garment Part & Retired Collecting Assistant for Newcastle Urban District Council].

Willian Haram (senior), was born at Mount Pleasant, North Newbald, Beverley, to Thomas Haram, [born 1827, a agricultural Labourer], and Mary Jane [nee Tomlinson], Haram, [born 1834], one of five children, he was employed by the North Eastern railway as a porter, before eventually became a Passenger Guard, prior to this in 1871 he was a domestic servant. He joined the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants on the 5th February 1897 then based at Newcastle Central.

In 1881 William (Senior), and his wife were residing at 29 Waugh Street, Gateshead, by 1891 with William, Albert Edward and Ellen they were residing at 68 Fourth Street, Gateshead. By 1901, with the addition of Frederick the youngest boy, they are all residing at 85 Third Street, Gateshead. Albert is a wood broker, William junior is a postman. William senior died on the 8th February 1937, [his residence address by then was 12 Grassmere Terrace, Washington Station], and was buried on the 13th February in Saltwell Cemetery. He left effects of £191 7s 10d to Fred Haram Gas company inspector.

William and Frances in 1911 were residing at 6 Ross Terrace, Gateshead with William (junior), Ellen, Frederick and Florence.

Albert Edward was married in 1909 to Lydia [nee Graham], daughter of Lydia Graham, dessmaker, [born 1854 at Staindrop], of 125 Redheugh Road, and in 1911 they were residing at 38 Spencer Terrace, Gateshead, Durham, with his wife mother's son, C.H. Graham, a cabinet maker born in 1882 at Workington, and Albert and Lydia's first child, Albert Edward born on the 7th July 1910, at 38 Spencer Terrace, Gateshead. In 1966 he was residing at 2 Jennifer Grove, Gateshead}, died circa January 1990 in Liverpool at the Wirral.

They had two more children, Nora Lydia Haram, born in March 1913, died the 14th November 1919, buried 17th November 1919 in Saltwell Cemetery, and Doris Haram born 20th November 1921, died September 1978, was cremated at West Road crematorium in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Albert Edward was now a commercial clerk working in the Timber industry.

Albert Edward Haram attested into the 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers, after the 1st January 1915, at the Gateshead recruiting office in the High Street, which was formed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne by the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce on the 16th November 1914. Service nu 19/432. The first Battalion orders were dated the 20th November, and the battalion's headquarters was located at 20 Osborne Avenue, Jesmond. The battalion then moved to Morpeth on the 13th January 1915 then Cramlington on Tuesday 4th May, brigaded with the 16th, 18th battalions Northumberland Fusiliers and the 18th Durham Light Infantry forming the 122nd Brigade. [On the 8th February 1915 it became a Pioneer Battalion]. On the 2nd 3rd and 5th April the battalion sports day were held at the Olympic Sports Field at Morpeth, they then moved to North Camp at Masham, now with the 104th Infantry Brigade, and joined the 35th Division.

August 1915. Taken over by the War Office and moved to Perham Down, [19th August], Salisbury Plain. On the 28th January 1916 the battalion is entrained for Southampton on route to Havre.

The battalion sailed on the City of Dunkirk Ship number 131464, and arrived about 11 pm.

The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The fighting for Arrow Head Copse and Maltz Horn Farm, The fighting for Falfemont Farm. 1917 The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the fighting in Houthulst Forest, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. 1918 The First Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action of Tieghem. 11th November 1918. Ended the war at Waermaerde east of Courtrai, Belgium.

Unfortunately there is no service record surviving. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Albert was in 'Y' Company as a sergeant. On the 24th March 1918 during the Germans spring offensive, the 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were located at Corbie, then proceeded by buses to Bray then marched to Maricourt, when the battalion was called into action.

This Level 3 Gallantry Medal was established during the First World War on the 25th March 1916 and introduced in the London Gazette issue 29535, (back dated to 1914) to personnel of the British Army and other services, and personnel of Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Military Cross (M.C.), (which was awarded to Commissioned Officers and, rarely, to Warrant Officers, who could also be awarded the M.M.).

Albert Edward Haram was a sergeant and spent over three years on overseas service, he is promoted to Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant in 1917. Albert had been gassed in his Army service. Which contributed towards his early death. Albert is mentioned in the War Diary along with others of his battalion of being awarded the Military Medal. After the 11th November 1918, Albert was given leave, and at the Empire Theatre in Gateshead, Albert was presented with his Military Medal by Brigadier-General Surtees. The Gateshead War Honours Recognition Committee also presented him with a wistlet watch on the 27th November 1918.

Albert was discharged to a Class Z reserve.

By 1920 William and Frances were now residing at 10 Alston Street, Bensham, with their son Frederick. Frances died in 1923.

William and Ethel in 1922 were residing at 93 Fairholme Road, Felling, then from 1924 they had moved to 44 Armstrong Street.

In January 1924, Albert Edward was admitted to the North Eastern Counties Friendly Societies Convalescent Home at Grange-over-Sands at Eggerslack, with problems with his stomach. On the 5th February 1924, Albert sent a postcard to his brother and his wife Barbara now residing at 19 Ryton Street, Redheugh Road, Gateshead that reads :- 5/2/24

Dear Fred & Barbara
Arrived here all right, but I am only muddling. Stomach troubling me again. Have had some fine days, but it is bad today. Not so warm as it should be. Hope you are both well, also Georgie & baby.
Albert

Albert Edward of 38 Spencer Terrace, Gateshead, died on the 31st July 1924 and was buried on the 4th August 1924 in Saltwell Cemetery.

In his will he left effects of £198 13s 4d to his widow Lydia Haram.

Lydia Haram died on the 18th March 1946 age 60 in Gateshead and was buried on the 22nd March 1946 in Saltwell Cemetery.

Acknowledgements to Ryan Haram

Albert Edward Haram is remembered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in NUT256 page 196 and 237.