Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Andrew Wilson Lorimer, one of 3 children, all of whom survived, was the youngest of 2 brothers, he had a younger sister. His father William Wilson Lorimer originated from Scotland where he was born, March 30th 1862 at Grange, Banffshire. At the age of 19 he was employed as an indoor farm servant as was Martha Reay, by widower Ralph Permella, a farmer of 101 acres at Loft House in the village of Lintz Hall, Tanfield, County Durham, who had a 2-year old son Ralph Jnr, both cared for by his sister in law Elizabeth Fawkes. William was married in the district of Houghton, County Durham, in 1882 to Mary Elleanor Young also known as Ellen, native of Wooler, Northumberland, where she was born in 1858. Their son William Jnr was born at Wallsend, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, December 10th 1888, they had moved to 2, Manor Row, Kenton by 1891, William Snr employed as an agricultural labourer. Their family was complete by 1901 as Ellen had given birth to Andrew Wilson Lorimer in 1896, baptised December 10th, and Elizabeth 1898 at Seaton Delaval, before they transferred to Peepy on the outskirts of Bywell, In 1911 William Snr and Andrew (14) were working the land at Moor House Farm, where the family occupied 2 rooms. Although Elizabeth (13) was of school age it would appear she remained at home with her mother, William Jnr had left the family home, whereabouts as yet unknown.
With the commencement of hostilities with Germany there was a rush of men who volunteered to join the newly formed battalions of all regiments known as Kitchener’s New Armies. In 1914 Andrew was 17 years of age and had not yet reached the minimum age of 18 in order to enlist. He presented himself at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 5th 1916, declaring he was a farm labourer at Butterlaw Farm, Westerhope, and had previously served with the Army Service Corps until his discharge, January 26th 1916, he was 19 years 7 months of age. As Private 29275 he was posted to Rugerley Camp, one of 2 built in the ground of Lord Litchfield’s estate in Staffordshire, and 2 days later to the 15th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Reserve battalion.
Private Lorimer was mobilised and departed from Folkestone, September 12th 1916, disembarking at Boulogne the same day, making his way to the 31st Infantry Base Depot at Etaples by September 13th and posted initially to the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he was transferred as Private 23836 to the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, September 19th 1916.
In January 1916 the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment had been transferred to the 12th Brigade, 4th Division participating at the opening Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916 and during the closing phase of the Battles of the Somme. Private Lorimer joined his regiment in the field, on the Somme, September 21st 1916 and participated during October 1st-18th at the Battle of Transloy.
Private 23826 Andrew Wilson Lorimer Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment was entered into the battalions list of wounded, October 12th 1916 and his parents were informed. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts, November 15th 1916 this was cancelled and Andrew was listed as wounded and missing, until December 16th 1916, when he was officially declared to have been killed in action, adopted date, October 12th 1916, 32 days after his departure from England.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of 72,319 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating men of the British and South African forces who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and have no known grave. Private Lorimer was 19 years of age and single.
His father received all monies owed to his son from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, also his son’s disc January 17th 1918, his mother a dependant's pension sent to her home address of Butterlaw Farm, Westerhope, until her death when it passed to his father then living at, Silver Hill, Hollywell Dene, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.
William Lorimer Jnr would also have been eligible to serve during WW1, however, no record has been found.
Mary Elleanor Lorimer nee Young died aged 77 years in 1935, William Wilson Lorimer in 1948 aged 85 years, both registered in the district of Tynemouth, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Andrew Wilson Lorimer is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
