Graylingwell War Hospital

William Howe, one of 8 children, all of whom survived, was the 2nd born of 5 sons and had 3 younger sisters. His parents Isaac Howe and Mary Benn born in Baggrow, district of Cockermouth, Cumberland, in 1859, were married in the parish of Allhallows, Cumberland, June 8th 1884. His brother John Howe was born at Baggrow in 1884 as was he (William) in 1887 and siblings Tom, March 25th 1888, Mary Elizabeth 1890, Robert 1892, Frederick 1893 and Jane Ann 1896. Isaac was employed as a coal miner, between 1896 and 1899, he migrated with his family to the north east, settling at Blenkinsopp, Northumberland, where their youngest child, Hilda Isabella was born in 1899. In 1901 they were living at Blenkinsopp Terrace, township of Haltwhistle, where Isaac had been joined by John (16) employed as coal miner/hewers, William (14) was a grocer’s apprentice. the remainder of the children, Tom (13), Mary Elizabeth (11), Robert (9), Frederick (7) and Jane Ann (5), were scholars, Hilda (2) remained at home with their mother. In search of employment by 1907 they had migrated to the north east, in 1911 they were living at 65, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Northumberland, William, who had married, was living near Hexham, Isaac and Mary’s seven children were still living at home, all the male members of the family with the exception of Frederick, who was a dog trainer, worked as coal hewers.

William had married, July 1st 1907, at St. Cuthbert’s chapel, Greenhead, Northumberland, to Selina Bright born May 26th 1884 at Greenhead, and with whom he had a son, Leslie, born November 27th 1907 at Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham. In 1911 they were living in 3 rooms at Castle Terrace, Longbyre, Greenhead, where he was employed as branch manager of the grocery and provisions department, The Greenhead Industrial Co-operative Society.

Their daughter Mary Irene was born September 18th 1913, son John Gordon, September 21st 1915, just prior to William’s enlistment, December 2nd 1915 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, where he was assigned to Army Reserve B. Once mobilised, November 2nd 1916 he posted to No.1 Depot Royal Horse & Royal Field Artillery, at Newcastle, as Driver 185992, joining the 4th (Reserve) Battery. The rank of Driver in the Royal Field Artillery was for men who drove the teams of horses which pulled the guns. He was also stationed at Forest Row Training Camp, East Sussex, where the 4th, 5th and 6th Batteries were encamped until 1919.

Driver Howe departed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, September 13th 1917, and spent the next 15 months in France, during which time he was attached to the 20th Divisional Ammunitions Column Royal Field Artillery.

December 17th 1918 Driver Howe was admitted to the 5th General Hospital at Rouen suffering from influenza and debility (pain in legs), shipped back to the United Kingdom, January 13th 1919, he was admitted for treatment to the Graylingwell War Hospital, Chichester, West Sussex, which was, prior to the war, the county lunatic asylum, requisitioned by the War Office for military use, March 24th 1915.

March 3rd 1919 he was granted demobilisation furlough and considered for discharge. A letter dated January 11th 1919 from The Industrial Co-operative Company to the authorities stated, referring to William that, “he was in our employment before August 4th 1914 and that we are prepared to offer him employment as counterman immediately on his return to civilian life, Yours faithfully, J. C. Hall, Secretary, forwarded by :- Carlisle Local Committee.” Driver 185992 William Howe was discharged to Class Z, free to return to his civilian life and employment but under obligation to return to the Colours should hostilities with Germany resume. Awards, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

All of William’s brothers were eligible for war service, however, no records have been found other than that of his eldest brother Private John Howe Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in Belgium in 1917.

Post war Selina gave birth to a son William F. Howe December 29th 1921, death records available suggest William Howe died in late 1921 before he was born. His widow Selina Howe, Mary Irene, John Gordon and William, in 1939 were living at 30 Briar Edge, Forest Hall, Longbenton, Northumberland, the home of Thomas R. Holden, single, born March 23rd 1910, a motor salesman. Selina attended to household duties, John Gordon was employed as an omnibus driver, William, an apprentice motor mechanic.

Details as regards William and Selina’s children.

Leslie Howe was married in the district of Tynemouth in 1969 to Dorothy Graham Wadge born January 7th 1912. In 1939 they were living at The Towers, Haltwhistle, Northumberland where he was a maintenance fitter at the quarry. Leslie Howe of 6, Stanley Crescent, Gilsland, Carlisle, died March 5th 1983, effects 27,336 pounds, Newcastle, June 21st, preceded by his wife Dorothy Graham Howe nee Wadge in 1981, registered at Northumberland West.

Mary Irene Howe were married in 1941, district of Northumberland South. to Thomas R. Holden.

John Gordon Howe and William F. Howe, details uncertain.

Selina Howe nee Bright of 30, Briar Edge, Forest Hall, Northumberland, died December 12th 1946, aged 62 years, at The Towers, Gilsland, Northumberland. Effects, April 20th, in the sum of 281 pounds 14 shillings 10 pence to Leslie Howe, quarry engineer.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.