Photo Brian Chandler
The headstone reads:
In
Loving
Memory
of
Harold Robert Pybus
Lieut. 4th D.L.I.
Aged 25
Dearly loved son of
Robert and Josephine
Pybus
who was accidentally killed 24th July 1916
after recovering from wounds received
in Flanders.
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 25/07/1916 reports:
Motor Cycle Accident
Newcastle Officer killed
A motor-cycle accident occurred on Sunday night at Dalton-le-Dale, near Seaham Harbour, and resulted in fatal injury to Lieut. Harold Robert Pybus, D.L.I., 25, of 21, Victoria Square, Newcastle, and serious injuries to Lieut. Miles Coverdale, D.L.I., 22, youngest son of the late R.H. Coverdale of Hartlepool.
It appears that, at about 10.30, the two officers were returning to Seaham Harbour on a motor-cycle, Lieut. Pybus being on the saddle and Lieut. Coverdale on a seat behind. While passing through Dalton-le-Dale the cycle collided with a tub trap, full of passengers, plying between the Seaham end of Dalton Dene and the village. The weather was very thick, and probably obscured the view of the officers, whose machine ran into the vehicle with great force. One of the shafts of the trap struck Lieut. Pybus below the left shoulder, smashing his collar-bone coming out behind the shoulder blade. Lieut. Coverdale was struck on the forehead, and is suffering from concussion of the brain.
P.C. Hailes, stationed at New Hesleden, had the injured men, who were unconscious, conveyed to Seaham Infirmary. Major Dillon and Dr. Neilan and two other doctors from Sunderland were quickly in attendance.
Lieut. Pybus succumbed to his injuries about 2.30 a.m. yesterday. Lieut. Coverdale was reported yesterday to be somewhat better, but semi-conscious.
Lieut. Pybus was the second surviving son of Mr. Robert Pybus, solicitor, 21 Victoria Square, Newcastle, and before the war he was an articled clerk with Messrs. Gibson, Pybus and Pybus, solicitors, Mosley Street. He had been at the front, and had returned to this country wounded.
Harold Robert Pybus is remembered in Newcastle on NUT061 and in Jesmond on J1.08
