Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Wallace born 1888 at Seaton, Cumberland was one of 15 children of whom only 8 survived, 6 sons and 2 daughters of Peter Wallace born 1858 and Mary Jane Owens born 1863, both natives of Seaton, who were married in the district of Cockermouth, Cumberland during the second quarter of 1886. Peter Wallace Snr. was a coal miner, the family remained in Seaton until moving to the north east after 1902 and can be found living at 3, Graylingstadt Terrace, Craghead, County Durham in 1911. Peter Jnr., his brother worked as a hewer, as did his father and eldest brother Thomas, John now aged 18 was a driver, his sister Mary Jane at 15 was working as a domestic, the younger children were scholars.
He enlisted at Gateshead, May 31st 1915, assigned as Private 21826 to the 1st Border Regiment, joining the Battalion at Carlisle. June 2nd. The 1st Battalion was Regular Army that served in Gallipoli until being evacuated via Egypt in January 1916. He joined the Regiment in England and moved to France, March 1916, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. Private Wallace rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal, June 5th 1916 just prior to the battalion going into action In July during the Battles of the Somme and May 8th 1917 was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917.
Corporal 21826 John Wallace was killed in action August 13th 1917 but has no known grave. His sacrifice is commemorated as one of the 54,395 names of servicemen from the Commonwealth who died on the Ypres salient up to August 15th 1917, whose bodies have never been found, listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium, panel 35.
His father as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, set to him at 45 Reservoir Street, Wardley, Pelaw. Corporal Wallace was 26 years old and single.
His younger brother Peter also enlisted as Private 16486 Durham Light Infantry and had perished in 1916 succumbing to wounds sustained whilst on active service in France.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Wallace is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
