Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Edward Standish, one of 4 children, was the second born of 3 sons. His father Richard Standish, born in Lancashire in 1863, was the son of coal miner Edward Standish and wife Ellen, who had transferred their family to County Durham, where Richard’s younger sister was born at Waterloo, parish of Usworth in 1870, by 1881 they had moved into a property at Quarry Row, Usworth Colliery. Richard Standish and Margaret Hunter, daughter of Michael and Mary Hunter of 12 Coxons Row, Usworth Colliery, were married in 1882, at the age of 19-years. Son Michael Hunter Standish was born at Hebburn, County Durham, November 26th 1883, George Edward, April 3rd 1886 at Shildon. Richard supported his family employed as a coal miner, they had transferred to Middlestone Moor by 1891, birthplace of Clarence Michael, November 9th 1893 and Elizabeth, 1896. The family remained at Middlestone, occupying 14, Albion Street, by 1901, Richard had been joined at the colliery by George Edward (14), a driver below ground, Clarence (7) and Elizabeth (5) remained at home with their mother, Richard’s widowed father Edward Standish had moved in with them after the death of his wife Elizabeth Standish nee Rostern in 1891, eldest son Michael was living a few doors away at No.39 with his 81 year old widowed maternal grandmother, Mary Hunter, whom he supported, employed as a coal miner/putter below ground. Michael was married in 1906, at 24 years of age George Edward was the eldest of his siblings still living at home in 1911, he and Clarence (17) were employed as putters at the colliery also their father, a stone-man. In search of employment they had left County Durham and moved into 3 rooms at 18, Burn Close, Westerhope, Mary (15) assisted her mother with household duties.
When war with Germany was declared, August 4th 1914, George Edward was living at Westerhope, Northumberland. In the absence of his military record it is impossible to follow his exact movements. He enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, circa May 1916 and was assigned to what is described as one of three battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) Regiment that were short-lived, the 20th (Labour) Battalion, part of Kitchener’s New Army battalions, as Private 48113. June 1916 the battalion landed in France where it moved to the Fifth Army in October 1916.
Private 48113 George Edward Standish Notts and Derby Regiment, died, March 11th 1917, of pericarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding vessels. In the Register of Soldiers Effects there is no mention of him being admitted to hospital, it can only be presumed that his death occurred suddenly whilst in the performance of his duty or en-route being taken by the Field Ambulance to the dressing station at Ovillers. He was interred within Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France, positioned behind the dressing station. Private Standish is at rest grave I. E. 25, he was 30 years of age and single.
His father Richard of 18, Armstrong Street, Burnclose, Westerhope, Northumberland, received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Although his brothers were eligible to serve no details have been found.
Within 3 months of George Edward’s death his mother, Margaret Standish nee Hunter, died, aged 53 years, his father Richard Standish aged 73 years in 1935, registered in the district of Castle Ward and Tynemouth, Northumberland, respectively.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Edward Standish is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
