Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Cuthbertson Jnr was born 1899 at Heworth Colliery, near Gateshead, County Durham, one of 5 children, all of whom survived, 3 sons and 2 daughters. Both his parents were born in 1874 in County Durham, his father Thomas Cuthbertson Snr in the small village of Oakenshaw, mother Catherine Storey at West Moor, they were married at Gateshead in 1895. Thomas Snr worked all his life as a coal miner at Heworth Colliery initially living at Chapel Square, Heworth with his wife and young children, they had moved to 9, East View, Heworth Colliery by 1911.
Thomas enlisted November 3rd 1916 at Gateshead just prior to his 18th birthday and was assigned as Private 51724 Northumberland Fusiliers staying at home as a reservist until April 14th 1918 when he was mobilised and underwent training as part of the 3rd Battalion. He was compulsorily transferred to the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment before being sent as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France attached to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Division, August 8th 1918. He joined the main body of the regiment whilst they were in action for the final time during the Hundred Days Offensive.
Private 57947 Thomas Cuthbertson York and Lancaster Regiment died October 9th 1918 during the Battle of Cambrai when Busigny was successfully captured that day by the 30th American Division and British cavalry. He was interred at Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Dept. Nord, France, grave VI. B. 22. He had served at the front for only 2 months and died less than 5 weeks before Armistice was declared November 11th 1918. Private Cuthbertson was 19 years old and single.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to him at 9, East View, Heworth Colliery, County Durham. He also commissioned at a cost of 7 shillings 10 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”.
Thomas Cuthbertson Snr died December 12th 1933 aged 59 years, Catherine Cuthbertson nee Storey aged 81 years in 1955, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Cuthbertson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and H92.07
