Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Friend was the illegitimate son of Isabella Friend, born in 1891 and baptised, December 3rd 1891 by his mother, at St. Andrew’s, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. It is possible that the Isabella and Joseph Friend listed as inmates at the Newcastle Union Workhouse, Westgate Road, Newcastle, in 1901 are the mother and son. By 1911 Joseph was working as a putter below ground at the colliery, living as a boarder along with 17-year-old, blacksmith’s striker, Robert Stephenson, at 2, Lloyd Street, Lemington, near Newcastle, consisting of 3 rooms, the home of colliery weigh-man, Robert Ions Leybourn, his wife, 2 children, grandson and 2 members of his extended family.
When war was declared in 1914 Joseph Friend enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, assigned as Private 4062, Northumberland Fusiliers. Posted to the 1st/6th Battalion, a Territorial force which had departed to France in 1915, he joined his regiment in the field as of January 1916. The battalion as part of the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, did not take part in any major battles on the Somme until the Battle of Flers-Coucelette, September 15th-22nd 1916.
Private 4062 Joseph Friend, wounded in the line of duty, was evacuated back through the lines until reaching the 36th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, where he succumbed to his wounds, September 16th 1916. Interred at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, Somme, France, grave IV. D. 22. Private Friend was circa 23 years of age and single.
As his sole legitimate beneficiary his mother Isabella received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Further information as regards Isabella Friend is as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Friend is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
