Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Norgett Tailford was born 1893 at Haughton-Le-Skerne, Darlington, one of 7 children of whom only 5 survived, 2 sons and 3 daughters. His father William James Tailford, native of Whitehouse, Durham born 1861 married Elizabeth Annie Norgett born 1866 at Fodderston, Bedfordshire, at Steyning, West Sussex in 1888. Aged 30 years William James worked as a machinist in a marine shop, he and the family had moved to 90, Cumberland Street, Darlington by 1911. He now worked at Darlington Forge Company as an iron turner, daughter Madeline (19) was a wire twister at the pianola works, James Norgett was a plumber’s apprentice at Darlington Corporation.
James Norgett Tailford was called to enlist April 22nd 1912, notice having been given to his employer Mr. Rawson of Tubwell Row, Darlington. He was assigned as Private 1529 to the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry a Territorial Force with drill halls at Stockton, Darlington and Castle Eden. Whilst serving as a Territorial, James left his apprenticeship moving to 8, Millfield Terrace, Gateshead and wrote a letter to Headquarters at Stockton requesting clarification as to his situation stating, “Sir, being out of work I have joined the Gateshead Borough Police Force and would like to know what I should do as regards the Territorials as I am now on duty.” They in turn wrote to Army HQ May 26th 1914 saying that Private Tailford who had joined the Durham Police Force was asking about discharge stating, “this man has not yet performed any drills or musketing.” The response was that his discharge could be carried out at a minimum cost of 2 shillings 6 pence subject to Section 9 para. 3 Territorial and Reserve Forces rules of 1907 being complied with. By the time this response was received Private Tailford had been embodied into the regiment, August 5th 1914, which made his request unacceptable.
After undergoing training Private Tailford assigned to “C” Company 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry departed to France April 17th 1915 disembarking at Boulogne the following day. Within days they were fighting in Belgium during the Second Battle of Ypres. April 26th 1915 the Territorials suffered heavy casualties at St. Julien and again on Frezenberg Ridge in May.
May 23rd 1915, 5 weeks after his arrival at the front, Private James Norgett Tailford was killed in action at Sanctuary Wood near the Hooge, Belgium and his body was buried there on the battlefield. At the end of conflict after Armistice and the clearing of the battlefields no trace was found of his grave, his sacrifice is recorded as one of the 54,395 names inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium which commemorates servicemen from the Commonwealth who died on the Ypres salient up to August 15th 1917 and whose bodied have not been found. At the time of his demise Private Tailored was 22 years old and single.
His father William living at 90, Cumberland Street, Darlington received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-5 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother Elizabeth Annie Tailford nee Norgett died in the district of Darlington in 1921, details of father unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
He is remembered at Darlington on D40.34, D40.67, D40.76, D40.77 and D40.80 at Gateshead on G39.027 and at Heworth on H92.03
