William Alfred Dunn
He was born on the 14th November 1889, at Acklington, the son of John Dunn, a retired policeman, and his wife Sarah, (daughter of John Bailey) Albert Street, Amble.
William was educated at the Church of England School, Amble. He worked as a miner at Broomhill Colliery. He married Jane Allan, daughter of Robert Buglass, in Alnwick on the 18th September 1909; they had two children, John born 19th June 1911 and Jeannie born 17th August 1913. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church.
William enlisted on the 12th October 1914, and served in France and Flanders from September 1915. He took part in the battle of Loos where he was poisoned by Gas and was sent back to the UK for sick leave. He was in hospital at Nottingham until Christmas 1915, then was moved to a Convalescent Home in Ripon until March 16th 1916.
After recovering he re-joined his regiment on the 11th April 1916. He was killed in action on the 14th July 1916 at Bazentin-le-Grand, during the battle of the Somme. Note: He was with the 1st Battalion when he was killed.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Somme Day by Day entry:
"The Division [3rd] was deployed in a sunken road. In the front line were 8 Brigade with 8th East Yorks, 7th Shropshire L.I. and 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers in support, 2nd Royal Scots in reserve. The wire was uncut and held up the attack until a company of 2nd Royal Scots broke through and bombed along the front line. The 1st [Battalion] Northumberland Fusiliers passed through and, despite heavy machine gun fire from the village, captured Bazentin-le-Grand."
Morpeth Herald 12/01/1917 carries a brief obituary:
ROLL OF HONOUR
DUNN.- 169 Chestnut Street, Hirst, reported missing, now reported killed in action on July 1st [sic], 1916, aged 33 years, Lance-Corpl. [sic] W.A. Dunn, the beloved husband of Ellen [sic] Dunn (nee Ray). – (Deeply mourned by his loving wife and five children, relatives and friends).
William Alfred Dunn is remembered at Amble on A13.03, A13.04 and A13.08
