A.J.B. Begg
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Alex was born on September 14th 1896 at Usworth to his Scottish parents Rev Alexander Begg and Annie Gordon (nee Marshall) who had married in 1896. The couple went on to have 5 children together all of whom survived childhood.
In 1901 the family was living at Usworth rectory as Alex Senior was a Church of England clergyman. Also living at the rectory were his sister, Lilias and a female servant named Emily.
The 1911 census shows Alex was attending Christ’s Hospital Boarding School at West Horsham, Sussex whilst at home more siblings had arrived. They were Charles, Anne Isobel and Charlotte. Daughter, Lilias is not shown at this time although she did later become a doctor.
The family were much as before except that Annie’s 74-year-old mother, Lilias was living with them too.
Alex was first educated at Darlington Grammar School before going off to boarding school at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex where he joined Thornton House. He was a pupil there from 1908-1915.
He was expected to study at Peterhouse College, Cambridge as he had won a scholarship there, but this actually never came about as he enlisted on the day after he left school. He was considered to have a brilliant scholastic career ahead of him.
He joined the 22nd battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant with effect from 30 July 1915. He was later promoted to Lieutenant. He entered France on 15 June 1916 and at some point was severely wounded. He was awarded the Military Cross in the King’s Birthday Honours Award list on 3 June 1917. He was killed in action at the outset of the German Spring offensive on 21 March 1918 and his body was never recovered.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Monday 12/08/1918 reported:-
LIEUT. ALEXANDER JAMES BARTLET BEGG. M.C., Northumberland Fusiliers, previously reported missing now reported killed on March 21st was the son of the Rev. Alexander Begg, rector Usworth, Washington, county Durham. He was educated at Darlington Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge, and had a brilliant scholastic career. He was severely wounded in 1916, and was afterwards awarded the Military Cross.
Probate amounting to £162.13s.11d went to Alex’s father.
Alexander James Bartlet Begg is remembered at Usworth on U9.01 and U9.02
He is on the Roll of Honour at Christ’s Hospital School
