Photo: Brian Chandler
In St.Mary's Burial Ground is a headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
Gnr. Richard Gallon
youngest son of
William and Isabella Gallon
who died at Highburn House
June 16 1920
aged 21 years
and of
Pte. James Gallon
their second son
who fell in action
at Albert France July 3 1916
aged 26 years
the above named
Isabella Gallon
died at Brae House Wooler
Aug. 15th 1923 aged 69 years
the above named
William Gallon
died at Brae House, Wooler,
Mar. 12th 1931, aged 72 years
also Emily their daughter
& beloved wife of Stephen Moffat
died Feb.18 1963, aged 76 years.
also the above Stephen Moffat
died Nov. 3. 1963, aged 76 years.
God's hand touched them and they slept.
Ian Scott has submitted the following:
James Gallon was one of twin boys born to William Gallon, and Isabella Gallon (née Lambert), of Brae House, Cheviot Sreet, Wooler. His twin was named George, and the boys were born in 1890 at Kimmerston, Ford, Northumberland.. They had a younger brother Richard, two older sisters, Emily and Sarah Jane and a younger sister Margaret. James lived at West Weetwood. Prior to enlisting he worked for Mr Ronald Barber of Weetwood Farm. James and his twin brother George, and their brother Richard attested in December 1915, but were not necessarily called up immediately.
The 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers came under the orders of the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division and landed in France in September 1915. James Gallon was most probably part of a later reinforcement. In the Battle of Albert (1st-13th July 1916) the 21st Division was part of XV Corps in Rawlinson's Fourth Army. On 1st July the 62nd Brigade had the job of carrying ammunition and supplies to the forward Brigades, but on the night of 2nd July and early morning of 3rd July the Brigade took over the positions in front line held by 64th Brigade.
The battalion had the 10th battalion Yorkshire Regiment on its right and the 1st battalion Lincolnshire Regiment on its left, and the 12th and 13th battalions Northumberland Fusiliers in support. Orders were given personally by the General Campbell GOC 21st Division for an attack on Shelter Wood. The casualties from the 12th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers on 3rd July included 37 men killed among them James Gallon.
His younger brother Richard also died. James, George and Richard Gallon were cousins of John HUNTER (No. 6569, 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers; died 10th April 1918) and William HUNTER (No. 619, 7th battalion A.I.F., died 8th/9th August 1915).
James Gallon is remembered in Wooler W68.01, W68.02 and W68.03 and in Alnwick Gazette Almanack page 67.
There is also a James Gallon named in Branxton on B56.02 and in Chatton on C20.01 - is this the same man?
