Photo: Heather Beresford
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Rae was born at Gateshead, County Durham in 1894 the only son of William Rae native of Carlisle born 1855 and Alice born 1859 at Gateshead.
Alice was William’s second wife, he had first been married to Isabella of Gateshead born 1859, surname and date of union unknown and with whom he had 4 children 3 sons and a daughter. William was a stone mason by trade, living at 14, Ryton Street Gateshead and moved ten years later to 3, Gordon Street. Aged 43 years in 1898 he died, his widow Alice along with her step-sons William (25) a book binder, John (23) a grocery shop assistant and her son James (17) a newsagent, had moved to 386, St. Cuthbert’s Road, Gateshead.
James Rae married at Gateshead Registry Office, August 21st 1915 Elizabeth Wallis Smith, their son William Smith Rae was born September 19th. Less than one month later, October 14th 1915 he enlisted at Felling, near Gateshead and was assigned to the Durham Light Infantry as Private 27877 joining the 3rd Battalion the following day at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The 3rd battalion was part of the Tyne Garrison and as such was sent to South Shields and Jarrow. On two occasions Private Rae was absent without leave, the first occasion was immediately after his enlistment from October 23rd to 31st 1915 and again November 1st 1915 to March 23rd 1916. Once apprehended he was struck off from the regiment awaiting trial accused of being absent without leave and losing his equipment. April 3rd 1916 he was found guilty on both counts and sentenced to 1 years detention at the barrack in Wakefield. Whilst in detention he exercised in all drills, musketry and physical training. His sentence was commuted on condition that he departed with the first available draft for active service. He was released June 3rd 1916 and departed with the British Expeditionary Force, August 7th 1916 joining the 20th Battalion in the field attached to the 41st Division in the front line on the Western Front where they remained until in early September 1916 they were sent south to the Somme. They entered the fighting at Flers, September 14th 1916 sustaining in the next few days the loss of over 100 men.
Private 27877 James Rae, Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action September 30th 1916 on the Somme. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. He was 22 years old.
His widow Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 1, Rowlandson Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Elizabeth remarried in 1926 at Gateshead, Charles Frederick Hart and with whom she had 3 children, Sheila born 1927 and Bernard in 1928 both registered at Gateshead, also Susanna born 1947 at Bridge in Kent. Elizabeth Wallis Hart-Rae nee Smith born February 10th 1893 died at Eastbourne, Kent in 1972, aged 79 years.
James and Elizabeth’s son William Smith Rae married at St Patrick R. C. Church Felling, June 19th 1937 Agnes Murphy native of Heworth, Gateshead born March 2nd 1911. Agnes Rae nee Murphy died November 1st 1984 aged 74 years, William Smith Rae aged 90 years in 2006, both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Rae is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 268
