Huddersfield Daily Examiner 22/12/1914
Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James William Alderson was born in 1883 at West Hartlepool, County Durham, the eldest of 2 sons and a daughter, born to George Alderson born 1856 at West Hartlepool and Hannah Spencer of Pakefield, Suffolk born 1861. They were married at West Hartlepool in 1883 and living at 13, Back Stranton Place, Stranton in 1901, where George was employed as a butcher. In 1902 their daughter Winifred born in 1897 died aged 4 years old, George Alderson died in 1906. James William in 1911 was studying as a Salvation Army Cadet at the Salvation Army Congress Hall, Linscott Road, Lower Clapham, London.
James William had served as a reservist and fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers during the South Africa Campaign. On the outbreak of war he re-enlisted at West Hartlepool assigned as Private 8726 to the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was drafted to France in the first wave, August 14th 1914 landing at Le Havre attached to the 9th Brigade 3rd Division. They remained on the Western Front seeing action in most major battles. He was killed in action November 11th 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres, October 19th-November 30th 1914. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium, commemorating those who died on the salient 1914 to August 15th 1917. Awards 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was 31 years old and single.
His mother Hannah as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him as per the instruction of his will and his awards of the 1914 Star, British war Medal and Victory medal sent to her at 12, Durham Street, West Hartlepool, County Durham.
As a member of the Salvation Army he had risen to the rank of Captain in charge of the Milnsbridge Corps, Huddersfield, where he was held in high esteem and deeply mourned.
James William’s younger brother Private 27791 Charles George Alderson 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action September 16th 1917 during day to day trench warfare. His body was taken to Vlamertinghe and buried at the Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, 5 kilometres from Ypres, Belgium, which had been begun in anticipation of the Allied offensive launched on that part of the front line in July 1917. He is at rest grave IX. G. 3. and was 32 years old. He left a widow Dorothy Jane Alderson nee Barnes.
At the conclusion of WW1 Hannah Alderson nee Spencer was the only surviving member of her direct family. She did not remarry and died in 1939, registered in the district of West Hartlepool.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James William Alderson is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.30 and at West Hartlepool on W111.54 and W111.86
