Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Christopher Rogers Oram was born March 20th 1886 at East Murton, County Durham, the eldest son and one of 9 children, of whom only 8 survived, 5 sons and 3 daughters, born to Christopher Oram 1852 of Cornforth and his wife Margaret Ann Rogers born 1854 at South Hetton, County Durham. They were married in the district of Easington in 1874. In the early years after his marriage he was working as an agricultural labourer living at 1 East Murton with his wife and 3 children. By 1901 the family had moved to Church Cottage, Dalton le Dale, Durham, Christopher Jnr. now aged 15 was working at the colliery below ground as a screen man, ten years later as a labourer at the bank (colliery).

Christopher R. Oram enlisted, along with his youngest brother Rogers Oram, November 22nd 1915 at Seaham Harbour. He was assigned as Private 569 to the 28th Reserve Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. September 1st 1916 they were absorbed into the Training Reserve Battalions in the 19th Reserve Battalion. As his full service record no longer exists, one of the 70 per cent destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it has not been possible to trace his exact movements. Christopher did serve overseas as of 1916 and would have been involved during the Battles of the Somme where he was severely wounded.

Private 569 Christopher Rogers Oram was discharged under King’s Regulations 392 xvi, “no longer physically fit for service”, March 21st 1917, he was awarded a pension, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Christopher married in December 1918 widow Eleanor Dickinson nee Singleton, born May 18th 1894, in the district of Easington, she had a son George Joseph Dickinson born in 1917. His step-son drowned in a freak accident on the north pier at Seaham, falling into the sea while pulling in a fishing line, June 5th 1930, his body was found by a fishing coble returning to port. He had been missing for over a fortnight. and was identified by his step-father Christopher. Eleanor and Christopher had 2 sons Christopher R. born 1920 and Richard W born July 7th 1923 who was working in 1939, aged 16, as a screener at the colliery, the family were living at 1A, Stavordale Street, Seaham. Their eldest son died 1995 in Staffordshire, his brother during the 4th quarter of 2000 in the county of Warwickshire.

Christopher Rogers Oram’s mother died in 1920 aged 66, his father in 1934 aged 82. Eleanor his wife passed away at Leeholme Hospital, August 27th 1941, aged 47, Christopher Rogers Oram of 123, Colling Avenue, Deneside, Seaham Harbour died aged 62, November 16th 1948.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Three of Christopher's brothers died in the Great War Thomas, Richard and Rogers A plaque was attached to the wall of Dalton le Dale Church yard wall in 2014 which names the three brothers and Christopher. D39.04