Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/04/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Rowley was born 1876 at Widnes, Lancashire, the son of Thomas Rowley and Elizabeth Patterson, natives of Oldbury, West Midlands, born 1839 and one of 10 children of whom only 3 survived 2 sons and a daughter. William and his wife married in 1858 at Dudley, in the West Midlands setting up home at Oldbury where Thomas worked as a bricklayer. Over the next 10 years he became an engine driver and it was now Elizabeth who worked as a brick maker. By the time William was born his father and elder brother were working as labourers at the alkali works at Widnes, a dangerous job due to the emission of muriatic and hydrochloric acid gases. Staying in the Widnes area they moved from 66 Gerrard Street to 94, James Street. Thomas Rowley now worked labouring at the docks as did William who was only 15 years old. William and his parents can be found living at Heworth in 1901 at 25, Ridley Terrace, his father now 62 still worked as a general labourer, William worked at the colliery as a quarryman.
When England went to war with Germany although William was still living at Heworth he enlisted at Inverkeithing, Fife, September 1914 joining the King’s Own Scottish Borders as Private 13796 assigned to the 7th Battalion of the New Armies formed at Berwick upon Tweed coming under the orders of the 46th Brigade, 15th Scottish Division. The division moved to Bordon and in February 1915 were in billets at Winchester moving on to Park House and Chisledon Camps at Salisbury Plain in April 1915. Mobilised they departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force July 9th 1915 landing at Boulogne the following day. They fought at the Battle of Loos in September 1915 but it was during the preparations for the Battles of the Somme that Private Rowley was either dangerously wounded or ill as he was evacuated back to the United Kingdom.
Private 13796 William Rowley died at Greenock Smithston War Hospital, Scotland, April 7th 1916. At the request of his family his body was brought back to his home town. The military would have organised this but his family would have had to pay the bill. Private Rowley is buried within St. Mary (Heworth) Churchyard although his grave is not marked with a military headstone, this was offered by the war office but not all families accepted. His sacrifice is recorded on a special memorial along with one other WW1 serviceman and one WW2 casualty. His father received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 16, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw, County Durham.
William’s mother Elizabeth Rowley nee Patterson passed away just prior to her son, her death registered during the first quarter (Jan-March) 1916 aged 77 years, Thomas Rowley died aged 83 in 1921 both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/04/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private William Rowley, K.O.S.B., died at the War Hospital, Greenock, April 7th, aged 40 years. Son of Thomas and the late Elizabeth Rowley, of Felling.
William Rowley is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and H92.06 and at Windy Nook on W95.01 and W95.02
