Photo: Pauline Priano
Photo: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edgar Blanchland Sanderson, one of 5 children all of whom survived, was the eldest of 4 sons and a daughter. His father William Sanderson born at Newbiggin, Northumberland in 1856 was the son of shepherd Joseph Sanderson and wife Mary, who by the age of 24 had moved to Blanchland where he was employed as a shepherd at Acton Farm, owned by John Pickering and family. He was married in the district of Hexham, Northumberland, in 1891 to local girl Eliza Bell born in 1858, Edgar was born in 1892 at Blanchland, birthplace also of Bertram 1893, Norman 1894 and Clement William 1897. William supported his family employed as an estate woodsman and keeper at Bridge End, parish of Hunstanworth, in 1901. Their only daughter Eva was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1905 but sadly Eliza was widowed June 2nd 1907. Eliza by 1911 had moved her family into 4 rooms at 3, Bishop Close Cottages, Whitworth, Low Spennymoor, supported by her elder sons, Edgar (18) and Norman (16) were clerks at the coke works, Bertram (17) a clerk at the iron works, Clement and Eva, 13 and 5-years of age were scholars.
Edgar was married in 1913 in County Durham to Florence Rose O’Brien, born August 21st 1893 in Northumberland, their daughter Christina was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec), district of Castle Ward, Northumberland, within months of Britain’s declaration of war with Germany, August 4th 1914.
After the declaration of war all regiments raised new battalions in answer to the call to arms. Edgar Sanderson was one of the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, assigned as Private 2554 to the 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, a Territorial Force, Northumberland Brigade, Northumbrian Division, posted to the Tyne defences. The Territorials were split into two lines during November 1914, the 1st Line for men willing to serve overseas, the 2nd Line for those unable or unwilling to serve overseas. Private Sanderson attached to the 1/6th Battalion N.F. departed to France where it became part of the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, April 20th 1915 and making its way to Belgium, without any nursery training or trench familiarisation was sent into the front line during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-May 25th 1915. The Germans had attacked using poison gas in the run up to the Battle of St. Julien, April 24th-May 5th, during which the 149th Brigade including the 1/6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, was part of the British counterattack.
Private 2554 Edgar Sanderson Northumberland Fusiliers is deemed to have been killed in action 26th/27th April 1915, the CWGC have adopted the latter. His sacrifice is recorded as one of 54,395 names inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium, commemorating servicemen from Britain and the Commonwealth who were killed on the Ypres salient up to and including, August 15th 1917, whose bodies have never been identified or found and the fortune of war denied a known and honourable burial.
As sole beneficiary his widow received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Florence Rose Sanderson remarried, November 13th 1919, registered district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, to William John Angus, born November 18th 1884 and with whom she had a further 4 children, Mary Winifred, September 4th 1920, John B, October 26th 1922, Edgar W, July 20th 1925 and Sylvia M. 1929, all registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1939 they were living at Cedar Road, Borough of Newcastle, William was employed as a wood merchant, Mary a clerk for an electrical supplier, John an apprentice joiner, Edgar an office boy, Sylvia was a scholar.
Florence Rose Angus-Sanderson nee O’Brien died in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1974, in her 81st year. Further details as regards Christina Sanderson as yet unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edgar Sanderson is remembered at Blanchland on B40.01 and at Spennymoor on S131.03
