Lamesley St. Andrew Churchyard
Medal Card
In Lamesley (St Andrew’s) churchyard is a family headstone which reads:-
The Family Burial Place
of
John & Isabella Rowell
George son of the above
Died May 23rd 1896
Aged 29 years
Also of the above Isabella Rowell
Who died February 4th 1920 aged 75 years
Also of the above John Rowell
Who died April 29th 1923
Aged 82 years
In loving memory of
Hugh Fraser Rowell, grandson
Of the above killed in action
At La Boiselle July 1st 1916
Aged 20 years
Thy will be done
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Hugh Fraser Rowell was born in 1895 the son of John and Victoria (nee Fraser) who had married at Chester le Street in 1894. The couple had 4 children together but unfortunately one died. The surviving children were Hugh, George and John Wesley Rowell.
The 1901 census shows the family living at the Barracks Yard, Kibblesworth. Also living with them was their niece, Edith Henderson, who seems to have lived with them for a number of years. The 2 eldest boys were at school at this time.
By 1911 the family had moved and were living at 39 Byermoor, Burnopfield. Father, John, was a coal miner overman (below ground). An overman was an experienced miner who has been promoted on the basis of experience. He acts as deputy to the viewer (ie manager of the colliery) and is more directly involved with the day to day workings of the pit.
There is a note, but unfortunately no further information, that Hugh was a student at the University of London.
According to his Medal Card it would appear he first served with the 29th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers then later transferred to the 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion.
Hugh was killed in action, presumed dead on or about 1 July 1916 at La Boiselle. Ovillers-la-Boiselle is a commune in the Somme Department in Hauts-de- France in northern France.
The capture of La Boiselle (1-6 July 1916) was a British local operation during the Battle of Albert which was the name given by the British to the first 2 weeks of the Battle of the Somme.
He is named on the Thiepval Memorial alongside 72337 comrades with no known grave. The majority of the men listed are mainly those who lost their lives during the Battle of the Somme.
At the time of his death his parents were living at Southward House, High Byermoor, Burnopfield.
His back pay of £3 13s 5d plus a later payment of £3 was sent to his father, John.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Additional Information: Durham Mining Museum website
Hugh Fraser Rowell is remembered at Burnopfield on B155.01 at Marley Hill on M34.01 and M34.06 and at Whickham W86.08
