Photo: Dudley George
The headstone reads:
In loving memory
of
James, the dearly beloved
husband of Annie Allison
who died Sept. 23. 1915,
aged 75 years.
Also of Sergt. James Allison
7th N.F. their second son
& dearly beloved husband of
Mary Allison, who died at
The Royal Infirmary Newcastle
March 30 1917, aged 31 years
from wounds received in
action in France April 1915
Also of the above
Annie Allison, who died
June 13, 1934, aged 84 years.
Joyce and Neil Brison have submitted the following:
James Allison was born at Alnwick in 1886, the son of James and Annie Allison, husband of Mary Allison of Denwick Alnwick.
The 1891 census shows the five year old James and his twin brother John R. living in Clayport Street Alnwick with their parents James a mason age 51 and Annie age 41. Other family members are Thomas (19) single, Joiner’s Apprentice; Mary J. (17) single, Dressmaker’s Apprentice; Catherine J. (15) single; Annie E.R. (13); Margaret H. (10); Amy (7); Henry R., 9 months.
Clayport Street was a warren of yards and alleys where the mainly poor people of the parish lived. I find it strange that the headstone is so elaborate considering how poor the family would probably be.
Further research shows the family living in 3 rooms in Centre Terrace, Alnwick in 1901. All the family from 29 year old Thomas to 10 year old Henry are still living at home. The second and third daughters are employed as a dressmaker and a draper’s assistant respectively.
James Allison is remembered at Alnwick on A11.01, A11.03, A11.09, A11.16 and A11.50 although it is not known where this roll of honour is - possibly in the T.A. Centre in Lisburn Street. James’s two brothers also appear on the roll of honour in the Northumberland Hall but not on the war memorial so I assume they survived the war.
