Richard L. Alnwick
Thiepval: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Lucock Alnwick, one of 6 children, all of whom survived, was the 3rd born of 5 sons and had an elder sister. His father Harrison Alnwick Snr was born at Seaham Harbour, near Sunderland, County Durham, in about 1845 and married at South Shields in 1874, to local girl, Elizabeth Hopper Johnson. They settled at Seaham Harbour and all their children were born there, George, July 28th 1875, Ada Mary Annie, March 6th 1877, John Johnson, July 4th 1879. In 1881 they were living at 3, Church Crescent, Harrison Snr supported his family as a tailor outfitter. Over the next 10 years his wife gave birth to a further 3 children, Richard Lucock in 1882, Herbert Joseph 1885 and Harrison Jnr 1889. They had moved to 24, Cornelia Terrace by 1891, Harrison Snr was now a draper for his own account, John (21) an Able Seaman in the Merchant Service, Richard (18) a grocer’s apprentice and Herbert (16) a clerk in coal fitter’s office, Harrison (12) although of school age is not listed as such. Living with them was Elizabeth Weightman, employed by her uncle as his shop assistant, Ada no longer lived at home and George was married.
They still lived at Cornelia Terrace in 1911, Ada (34) had returned to her parents' home, Richard had concluded his apprenticeship and was now a fully-fledged grocer’s assistant, Herbert was still a clerk for the coal company, Harrison (22) had joined his cousin Elizabeth (28) employed by his father at his draper’s shop. John Johnson Alnwick had departed from the port of Liverpool, July 11th 1909 aboard the S.S. Arabic as a non-immigrant alien bound for Quebec, final destination the home of a Miss Sullport, however he did return to England.
Herbert Joseph Alnwick died March 11th 1912, April 20th 1912 his brother Harrison was assigned his effects in the sum of 146 pounds 2 shillings. He was 27 years of age and single.
In 1914 when war was declared Richard Lucock, John Johnson and Harrison were all eligible to serve. Grocer Robert Lucock Alnwick received notice and was attested, December 9th 1915. Sent to the Army Reserve he was mobilised May 1st 1916 and posted to the Durham Light Infantry as Private 32079. His training period was brief, Private Alnwick departed with his regiment from Folkestone as part of the British Expeditionary Force, August 24th 1916. At the 35th Infantry Base Depot he was posted to the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry which had been in France since May 21st 1915.
Having moved to the Somme, as part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division, their first major encounter took place during the Battle of Delville Wood, July 15th-September 3rd 1916, which after a brief period of rest was followed by the Battle of Flers Courcelette September 15th-22nd.
Private Richard Lucock Alnwick was reported as missing, September 16th 1916, this news would also have been passed on by his family to his brother Harrison who was also serving in the sector with the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts, Richard was struck off and is presumed to have died, “on or since,” September 16th 1916.
His father wrote a letter dated July 1st 1921 to the Officer In Charge, Infantry Records Office, York, it reads as follows, “Dear Sir, Our son Pte. R. L. Alnwick was presumed to have fallen at Delville Wood on September 16th 1916. We know he would not be buried in a separate grave but can you tell us if those who fell on that date were buried at Delville Wood Cemetery or if not where? We intend going to visit the grave of Pte H. Alnwick and would like to visit where Pte. R. L. Alnwick would be interred if you can give us confirmation we would be very grateful. Yours sincerely, H. Alnwick.” They received the following response, “Sir, I beg to acknowledge your letter of the 1st inst. regarding your late son 32079 Pte R. L. Alnwick 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry and regret to inform you that no further news is known in this office other than that of Death Presumed by War Office in having occurred on or since 16. 9. 1916. I would advise you however to communicate with the Vice-Chairman Imperial War Graves Commission, 82 Baker St. London W.1 who may be able to supply you with particulars of burial. Yours faithfully.”
Private 32079 Richard Lucock Alnwick has no know grave, his sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who fell on the Somme before March 20th 1918. He was 34 years of age and single.
Richard had nominated his brother-in-law John Edward Rumfitt as sole executor, he received all monies owed to him by the Army and his personal effects in the sum of 1145 pounds 5 shillings 5 pence assigned February 12 1917, probate Durham. His mother Elizabeth received his personal items, and awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 24, Cornelia Terrace, Seaham Harbour.
Harrison Alnwick Snr died August 30th 1929 aged 85 years, leaving his effects in the sum of 10,066 pounds 3 shillings 4 pence to his widow and son George, engineer. His widow Elizabeth Hopper Alnwick nee Johnson aged 81 years, died October 13th 1930, probate November 28th 1930 in the sum of 738 pounds to son George, engineer and John Edward Rumfitt company secretary. Both deaths were registered in the district of Easington, County Durham.
Their son George Alnwick was married in 1898, district of Sunderland, County Durham, to Sarah Jane Haddick born December 2nd 1876 at Seaham and with whom by 1911 he had 4 children, Ada Mary, Hilda, George Harrison and Kathleen. He and his family lived for over 10 years at Marlborough Street, Seaham where he was employed as an engine fitter in the marine engine building sector. In 1939 he was retired and living with his wife at 26, Clyvedon Rise, South Shields. Sarah Jane Alnwick nee Haddick died in 1957 aged 81 years, George Alnwick aged 90 years, April 30th 1966, at the General Hospital, South Shields. George Alnwick left effects in the sum of 17,736 pounds, assigned to retired company secretary John Edward Rumfitt, June 28th 1866.
Ada Mary Annie Alnwick married John Edward Rumfitt born November 23rd 1883 at Hull, Yorkshire, in 1912, settling at 28, Maureen Street, Seaham Harbour and with whom she had a son, William Harrison Rumfitt in 1913. Her husband died in 1969 aged 86 years, Ada Mary Annie Rumfitt nee Alnwick aged 95 years in 1972, registered in the district of Durham Eastern and Durham Western respectively.
John Johnson Alnwick died in 1947 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
Richard’s younger brother Private Harrison Alnwick was killed in action in Belgium, August 30th 1917.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In peace.
Richard Lucock Alnwick is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
He is remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 246