Photo: Dorothy Hall
Strand Military Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Strand Military Cemetery: Pauline Priano
In St. James's Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:
In affectionate remembrance of
Peter Marran
who died at Broomhaugh July 25th
1900 aged 44 years.
Also Helen wife of the above
who died June 19th 1940
aged 84 years.
Also five children who died in infancy
Also of Frank son of the above
who was killed in France
August 31st 1915 aged 34 years.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Francis Marran, affectionately known as Frank, one of 7 children of whom only 6 survived, was the eldest of his siblings, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. His father Peter Marran was born at Simonburn near Hexham, Northumberland, his mother Helen Hasting was born in Scotland, October 6th 1855 at Glencairn, Dumfries & Galloway. They were married at Gateshead, County Durham, in the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1881, Frank was born September 23rd 1881 at Whickham, as was Samuel in 1884 and Mary 1885, John at Bywell, Northumberland in 1890.
In 1891 they were living in the village of Broomhaugh, near Hexham, Northumberland, sharing a property with the Cass family at St, James’s Terrace. Peter was employed as a road man with the County Council, Helen as a charwoman, Francis (9) and Samuel (7) were scholars, 1-year old John remained with his mother and Mary (6) was living with her maternal grandparents in Scotland. Their youngest daughter Jessie was born in 1894 and whilst Helen was pregnant with their 6th child her husband died July 23rd 1900. Perter Marran was interred within St. James’s churchyard, Riding Mill, Northumberland. Either just prior of just after his death Helen gave birth to a son during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1900 whom she named Peter Marran Jnr.
They had moved to The Riding in the parish of Hexham by 1901, Helen worked as a washer woman for her own account from home, Frank (19) having concluded his studies at Bridge Hill School, Riding Mill, was serving his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, John (11), Jessie (7) and Peter Jnr 7-months remained at home, Mary Marran was still living at Glencairn in Scotland with her now widowed grandfather Samuel Hastings (80) a farmer, his daughter Janet and ploughman William Gall. After the death of her grandfather Mary (26) returned to her family, in 1911 they were living in 5 rooms at Riding Mill, Northumberland. Frank (29) was now plying his trade as a blacksmith at the shipyard, Jessie (17) was a student, their other siblings had left home.
After the declaration of war with Germany, July 28th 1914, Frank enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, assigned as Private 2422 to the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and posted to the re-designated 1st/6th Battalion of the Territorial Force. His training complete he departed with his regiment for the front, April 20th 1915 and attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in May 1915, joining his regiment in the field on the Ypres salient in Belgium where it had been participating during the 2nd Battle of Ypres since April 22nd 1915 which concluded May 25th. They remained in the trenches around Armentieres and Kemmel until moving south, participating during the final stages of the Battles of the Somme in 1916.
Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal 2422 Frank Marran Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, August 31st 1915 and initially buried in a small concentration at map reference Sh. 36. C. 27. b. 83, Epinette Road Cemetery, Houplines, France, a cross bearing his name and military details marking his grave.
After the Armistice at the request of the French and Belgian Governments smaller concentrations and isolated graves were brought into larger cemeteries. The remains of Lance Corporal Marran and several others were exhumed and brought into Strand Military Cemetery, 12.5 kilometres from Ypres, Belgium, January 2nd 1920 and re-buried with military honours. Lance Corporal 2422 Frank Marran Northumberland Fusiliers is at rest grave IX. H. 9. At the time of his demise in 1915 he was 32 years of age and single.
His mother received all monies due to her son from the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Helen Marran nee Hastings died December 29th 1939 aged 84 years, her death registered at Northumberland West.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Frank Marran is remembered in Riding Mill on R11.02 and R11.03
