Photo: Brian Chandler
.JPG)
Photo: Brian Chandler
In Whorlton (St John) Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:
In
loving memory of
James
beloved husband of
Annie Bainbridge
of “Greencroft”
Westerhope
who died suddenly
22nd Dec. 1926
in his 68th year.
“In the midst of life,
we are in death”.
also Anne
the wife of the above
died 5th April 1957
aged 85 years
also George Robert
son of the above
who made the supreme
sacrifice in France
18th Sep. 1918
in his 21st year
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Robert Bainbridge, was the eldest of 4 siblings, 2 sons and 2 daughters, he also had a half sister Mary Hannah Bainbridge born July 7th 1886 at East Pontop, County Durham, from his father’s first marriage. His father James Bainbridge born May 1st 1859 at Thornley, County Durham, had married in the district of Lanchester, during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun)1885 to Elizabeth Browell, the eldest daughter of George and Mary Browell. Elizabeth died at East Pontop Colliery, August 18th 1886, aged 26 years and interred at St Thomas churchyard, Hare Law, the grave, also became the resting place of her parents.
In Saint Thomas Churchyard Hare Law is a family grave which reads;
In Affectionate Remembrance of
ELIZABETH
Wife of James Bainbridge
Eldest daughter of George Browell
Who Died at East Pontop Colliery
April 18th 1886 aged 26 Years
Also of Mary, Wife of the Above
George Browell Died July 26th 1889
Aged 54 Years
Also the Above George Browell
Who Died April 3rd 1898 Aged 62 Years
Although he found himself alone with a 6-week old baby, James, did not remarry until 1895 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. His second wife Annie Tweddell, native of Walbottle, Northumberland, born 1872, was fourteen years his junior. George Edward was born July 17th 1898 at East Pontop Cottages, Annfield Plain, County Durham as was Lily Beatrice in 1900. In 1901, employed as a colliery manager, James and his family, including Mary Hannah (14) were living at East Pontop House, Hare Law, but had moved after the birth of their son Thomas in 1902 to Catchgate, Durham, where their daughter Edna Beatrice was born, September 9th 1909. In 1911 they occupied 5 rooms at 34, Victoria Terrace, Catchgate, where James Bainbridge was under manager below ground at the colliery, Mary Hannah (24) assisted her 1-year old sister and her step-mother at home whilst George Robert (12) and Lily (10) attended school, Thomas (9) is not listed as a scholar.
When war was declared with Germany in August 1914 George Robert had only just turned 15 years of age, but as the war extended, was enlisted at Walbottle, assigned as Private 30719 East Riding Yeomanry, once he turned 18 in 1917. The East Yorkshire Yeomanry had been formed in 1908 as a Territorial Force with H.Q at Beverley, Yorkshire. His training complete he departed to the front in 1918 having reached the legal age for service overseas of 19 years. He was posted to the 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, with a new service number 51549.
The 7th (Service) Battalion, one of Kitchener’s New Armies, attached to the 50th Brigade,17th Northern Division had been at the front since July 14th 1915. He joined his regiment participating during the Advance to Victory in the Picardy and Artois sector, France, also known as The Hundred Days Offensive, August 8th-November 11th 1918, including the Battle of Amiens, August 8th 1918, the Second Battle of the Somme, August 15th and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.
Within weeks of his arrival at the front Unpaid 2nd Lance Corporal 51549 George Robert Bainbridge East Yorkshire Regiment was reported as missing and later declared to have been killed in action or died of wounds, September 18th 1918.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of 9,838 names inscribed on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, which forms the backdrop of Vis-en-Artois Cemetery, commemorating those who fell between August 8th and the Armistice in the Advance to Victory, in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, who have no known grave. Lance Corporal George Robert Bainbridge was 20 years of age and single.
His step-mother Annie Bainbridge as his sole legitimate beneficiary received all monies due to him from the Army, a pension of 7 shillings 6 pence a week as of May 27th 1919 also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her home address of, “Greencroft,” Westerhope, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
George’s father James Bainbridge died suddenly December 22nd 1926 aged 68 years, his death registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, Annie Bainbridge nee Tweddell aged 85 years, April 5th 1957, registered at Westerhope, Northumberland.
Mary Hannah Bainbridge married Abram Hounam (1883-1939) with who she had a daughter Lily (1919-2010). She died aged 91 years in 1978 registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Lily Beatrice Bainbridge died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, October 10th 1980 aged 80 years.
Thomas Bainbridge, who was too young to serve during WW1, died November 4th 1963 registered at Durham North Western.
Edna Beatrice Bainbridge of 348, Stamfordham Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, died August 25th 1978.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements: Ron Carson
George Bainbridge is remembered at Westerhope on W77.01 and at Whorlton on W53.01
