Mark Harland was born at Peases, Stanley, County Durham in 1869, the eldest of 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter. His father Robert Harland was born in 1846 at Sedgefield, County Durham, his mother Ann Preston, affectionately known as Annie, originated from Whitby, in Yorkshire. They were married in 1868 in the district of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, settling initially at Toronto, County Durham where Robert was employed as a coal miner, they had moved 10 years later to the town of Bishop Auckland.

June 2nd 1892 Mark was married at the Registry Office, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to Jane Anne Wood born 1875 at Bishop Auckland. The couple were both living with their respective families at William Street, Craghead, prior to their marriage where Mark was employed as a coal miner.

Their daughter Elizabeth Ann was born in 1893, Robert, at Vigo, Birtley, in 1895, Mark at Fatfield near Washington in 1896 as was Alice 1898 and John William 1901. In 1901 they were living at 8, Washington Lane, in the village of North Roddick where Mark Snr was employed as a coal hewer, also in the household to supplement the family income was boarder, 56 years old William Holmes, a colliery labourer above ground. Their daughter Elizabeth Ann (8) was a visitor at Vigo Farm, Portobello Village, with Thomas and Mary Jane Blair. They remained at Fatfield and Mary Jane over the next ten years gave birth to a further 5 children, Dennis 1902 Thomas Blair 1904, Mary Jane 1906, Maggie, July 4th 1907 and Maria 1909. In 1911 they were living in 4 rooms at 26, Brown’s Buildings, Chester-le-Street, boarding with them was spinster, 67-year-old, Annie Maleing. Mark Snr was still employed as a hewer and had been joined by both Robert (16) and Mark (15) employed below ground as pony drivers. Daughter Florence was born in 1912.

Britain declared war with Germany August 4th 1914, Mark Harland Snr was almost 45 years of age. He presented himself at Durham, June 21st 1915, declaring he lived at 26, Brown’s Buildings, Chester-le-Street and 38 years 4 months of age. Believing this to be true, he was assigned as Private 3989 to the 3rd/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force. The 3rd/8th Battalion was formed not only of new recruits but also of men from the 2nd/8th, considered unfit for service overseas. Private Harland was posted to the 23rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Atwick, near Hornsea, March 31st 1916, and when it merged with the Training Reserve of the 20th (Reserve) Brigade he was moved at Hornsea until September 28th 1916 when he transferred to the A. R. D. at Sacristan, County Durham. With a change of service number in 1917 to 350475, when the 23rd Battalion was re-named the 26th Battalion Durham Light Infantry he served in England until his discharge under King’s Regulations 392 (xxv), “his service no longer required.”

Mark and Jane Anne’s sons Robert and Mark Jnr were also eligible to serve during WW1. Mark Jnr had enlisted prior to his father, February 3rd 1915 and whilst serving as Private 23553 Mark Harland with the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action in Belgium, October 6th 1917. Private Robert Harland served with the Durham Light Infantry and Lincolnshire Regiment. He was sent to the front in France, but discharged in 1917, no longer fit for military service.

Mark Harland died, aged 66 years, during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1935, his widow Jane Ann Harland nee Wood died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1835, both registered in the district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.