Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William (Willie) Felton was born 1898 at Bill Quay, near Gateshead, County Durham, the youngest son and one of 7 children of whom only 6 survived 2 sons and 4 daughters. His father Robert Felton native of Haswell Colliery born 1870 married Isabella Clough born 1874 at Shotton Colliery, in the district of Gateshead, June 23rd 1894. His father Robert was a caretaker at the miner’s hall, brother Robert Jnr aged only 15 years worked at the colliery as a driver, William and his younger siblings were scholars, living at 14, Coxon Street, Bill Quay.
On the outbreak of war William enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November 5th 1914 assigned as Private 486 to the 22nd Battalion, 3rd Tyneside Scottish Northumberland Fusiliers. Initially training at Newcastle they moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle in early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid-1915 and late August moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. January 1916, they proceeded to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. Spring 1916 the battalion was in preparation for the forthcoming Battles of the Somme. June 6th 1916 they were involved in the defence of Becourtwood HQ, St. Becourt Chateau and marched to Albert, June 15th.
Whilst in the area of Albert, Private 486 William Felton was killed in action June 22nd 1916 and interred at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, grave I. E. 27. He was 19 years old and single.
His mother Isabella received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 21 Reservoir Street, Wardley Colliery, County Durham. She also commissioned at the cost of 5 shillings 6 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Gone But Not Forgotten”.
Robert Felton died aged 64 in 1936 registered in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his wife Isabella Felton nee Clough in 1961 aged 87 years, district of north east Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/07/1916:
"Private William Felton, killed in action in his 19th year, M.F.T.S. Son of Robert and Isabella Felton, of Wardley Colliery."
The 18/01/1947 edition carries:
Felton - Pelaw, Lewis, W., Border Regt, killed in accident, Dec. 19th 1941. William, killed in France, June 22nd 1916.
William Felton is remembered at Wardley on W97.01, W97.02 and at Heworth on H92.03
