Photo: Dorothy Hall
Son of the late Joseph and Mary Jane Jemmeson, of 10, Baliol St., Barnard Castle, Co. Durham.
In Barnard Castle (St. Mary) Church Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:-
To
the beloved memory of
Joseph H. Jemmeson
died Dec. 8th 1921
aged 86 years
Also Mary Jane widow of the above
died Jan. 8th 1928
aged 65 years
And of their sons
Private Fred Jemmeson
Killed in action at St. Quentin
March 22nd 1918 aged 23 years
Private Thomas Jemmeson
Died of wounds at Etretat
October 5th 1918 aged 30 years
2nd Lieut. Geo. Edwin Jemmeson R.A.F.
killed in a flight accident in Russia
May 15th 1919 aged 19 years
Simon Glancey has submitted the following:
Second Lt. Jemmeson was killed in an aircraft accident at Chechen Island, on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. He was serving as an observer with 221 Squadron, which had been sent to the region to support White Russian forces. Also killed was the aircraft's pilot, Lt. Bertram Eric Nelson Turner.
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Joseph Jemmeson (father) married his first wife, Mary Ann Magee March 25 1872. The couple had several children together including Rachel, Hannah, Joseph and Jane. Unfortunately Mary Ann died in 1882 (Q4) at the young age of 35 years.
Within a year Joseph was married November 21st 1883 at Staindrop Mary Jane Bradley, and produced 9 children. There was an age difference of 27 years between the newlyweds.
Their oldest son, William was born on 31 October 1884 but there seemed to be problems within the marriage as on 19 February 1885 a court petition was raised by Joseph for Mary Jane to return to her home to attend to her wifely duties. It seems in May 1884 Mary Jane separated from Joseph and has ‘ever since refused to return home’ and ‘render him conjugal rights’.
The judge decreed that Mary Jane return home. Their problems seem to have been resolved by themselves as over the next 18 years a further 8 children arrived.
George was their sixth child to be born in 16 November 1899 at Marwood, Durham.
George’s siblings were William (a blacksmith), Thomas (grocer’s assistant) Mary Ethel (a dressmaker on her own account) whilst several of the others children were attending school. They were Albert Edward, Edith Annie, Wilfred Ernest, Greta Eveline, and Eliza. Thomas was working as a grocer’s assistant in 1911.
The 1911 census shows all 11 members of the family living in 5 rooms at 10 Balliol Street, Barnard Castle.
Upon leaving North East Counties School George worked for a while as a railway worker at Middlesbrough before enlisting with the R.A.F. as a cadet joining between February–April 1918. His original service number was 137744. On 30 August 1918 he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant then later the same year was posted to the Aegean as an observer.
Second Lieutenant Jemmeson was killed in an aircraft accident at Chechen Island on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. He was serving as an observer with 221st Squadron which had been sent to the region to support White Russian forces. Also killed was the aircraft’s pilot, Lt. Bertram Eric Nelson Turner.
The Teesdale Mercury 02/07/1919 reports:-
“The news of the sad death of Flight-Lt. G.E. Jemmeson which occurred in Russia has just been communicated by the Colonel Commanding the gallant young fellow’s grief stricken parents at Barnard Castle. The officer writes from Baku, Caspian, and says, Lt. Jemmeson was killed in an aeroplane accident at Chechen Island on May 15th, while flying a machine as observer from Petroosk to Chechen. In attempting to land the machine side slipped and crashed to earth. Both pilot and observer were killed instantaneously. The Commandant, who is mentally cut up, says the deceased was a very fine officer, and adds that crosses were being made and photographs of the grave will be sent in due course, while the sister of the Commanding Officer, Lady Ravenscroft says : “Though have only seen photographs of him I do not feel as if he was a stranger, for my brother in law has spoken so much of him in his letters, and always with such great affection. My brother has set me this task, as he is unable to write himself, but will do so in a week or two. George was a special favourite.”
Mr & Mrs Henwood, 188 Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough, say George was a dear boy and they loved him much, and want to think of him as they saw him.
Mr and Mrs Jemmeson have received a wire from Buckingham Palace conveying their Majesty’s deep sympathy at the loss of so capable an officer. Mr and Mrs Jemmeson have had four sons serving in the war, three of whom have made the supreme offering, and the condolence of this entire is extended by them all, with the hope that their faith may be as great as their sacrifice.”
NB Chechan Island is sometimes referred to as Chicken Island.
In just over a year between 21/03/1918 until 15/05/1919 two of his brothers George Edwin and Thomas were also killed in the Great War. A fourth brother survived but his name is unknown.
George left £210.15s 4d in his will to his father Joseph.
George Edwin was brother to Fred Jemmeson and Thomas Jemmeson
George Edwin Jemmeson is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.04, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25
