William Clennan
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Clennan, one of 7 known children, was the eldest of 3 brothers and had 1 elder and 3 younger sisters. His father Thomas Clennan, known as Tom, was born at Thornley, County Durham in 1863 but had moved by 1881 to Throckley, Northumberland, with his parents William and Jane Clennan and brother Alexander, where he and his father were employed as coal miners. He was married in 1883 at Castle Ward, Northumberland to Elizabeth Bird who originated from Dearham in Cumberland where she was born in 1865 and was now a servant in the home of Thomas and Isabella Todd and son at 30, Cross Row, Cramlington. Their daughter Jane was born at Cornforth, County Durham, but they had transferred to Northumberland where William was born at Castle Ward in 1885 as was Fanny 1888 and Hannah in 1890. In 1891 the family was living at Wood Row, Denton Burn, on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where Thomas was working as a coal miner. Over the next 8 years they had a further 3 children, Thomas Jnr, April 16th 1895, Sarah 1897 and James 1899 in Northumberland, and resided in 1901 at Denton Square, Denton Burn. Elizabeth Clennan nee Bird died during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1901 at Gateshead, County Durham, aged 35 years. Two years later Thomas married his second wife widow Grace Ann Reed nee Arnott, native of Scremerston, Northumberland, where she was baptised, October 28th 1866, her husband Charles Reed had died in 1901 aged 31 years at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1911 they occupied 3 rooms at Benson’s Buildings, Westerhope, with Thomas’s children Thomas Jnr (15) Sarah (14) and James (12). Thomas Snr was a deputy at the colliery Thomas Jnr a driver.
William Clennan had married in 1909 at Castle Ward to Florence McGill of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, born 1888, in 1911 they were living in 3 rooms at 12, Canning Street, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
When war was declared in 1914 he was one of the first to enlist, joining the newly formed 21st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, September 26th 1914 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne as Private 548. March 1915 the 21st/22nd/23rd and 24th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalions moved to a camp in the grounds of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland where they formed the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. Sadly, Florence died aged only 27 years in the district of Tynemouth, 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1915.
His division was taken over by the War Office, August 15th, and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training, leaving for France January 1916, concentrating at La Crosse, near St Omer. After a period of trench familiarisation they were moved to the Somme, in action on the first day at the Battle of Albert at Scots and Sausage Redoubts and ordered to hold the village of La Boisselle which at the time was little more than rubble. Transferred to the 57th Division between July 6th-August 22nd 1916, the battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war.
During his time at the front Private Clennan remained with the Northumberland Fusiliers, however he was posted to various battalions. From the 21st he joined the 16th, returned to the 21st, posted to the 20th, returned again to the 21st, posted to the 14th, back to the 21st, then to the 9th and finally returned to the 21st which was reduced to cadre strength and disbanded, February 3rd 1918.
Private Clennan was married during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1918 at Alnwick, Northumberland, to Catherine Craig, born March 22nd 1884, who settled at 1, Far Rosedale, Port Mulgrave, Parish of Hinderwell, North Yorkshire.
After the Armistice of November 11th 1918, Class Z Reserve was introduced, December 3rd 1918, to which Private Clennan was posted, free to return to his civilian life but under the obligation to return to the Colours should hostilities with Germany resume.
Ex Private 548 William Clennan, Northumberland Fusiliers, died at Whitby, Borough of Scarborough, March 3rd 1920, cause of death, “epilepsy caused by septic poisoning." He was 35 years of age. Awards; British War Medal and Victory Medal.
As William’s death was attributed to or aggravated by his war service he was buried with full military honours within Hinderwell Cemetery, North Yorkshire and is listed with the CWGC as a casualty of WW1.
A case for his widow to receive a pension was opened April 12th 1920.
Catherine Clennan nee Craig died at Whitby, North Yorkshire in 1942 aged 58 years, entered in error as aged 60. William and Catherine do not appear to have had any children.
Although both of William’s younger brothers were eligible to serve only the details of James Clennan have been found, who served with the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 64904 and survived the conflict.
Ellen Clennan nee Richardson died in 1939 aged 68 years, Thomas Clennan in 1942 aged 78 years both registered at Northumberland South.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Clennan is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
