Newcastle Daily Chronicle 23rd March 1916
Photo :NEWMP
Newcastle Journal Friday 25th February 1916
The headstone reads:
Per Ardua ad Astra
In
Loving Memory
of
Charles Gordon
Procter
2nd Lieut. 10th
East Surrey Regt.
attached R.F.C.
Born Augt. 3rd 1897
Killed on his first
solo flight at Catterick
Feby. 20th 1916.
God took him.
Charles Gordon Procter was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1898 the son of Ada Jane and Charles Edward Procter.
The Newcastle Journal Friday, 27/02/1916 reports:
Military Funeral at Benton
The funeral of the late Second-Lieutenant C. Gordon Procter, elder son of Mr and Mrs C.E. Proctor of Victoria Avenue, Forest Hall, who was accidentally killed whilst flying on Sunday last, took place at Benton Churchyard yesterday with full Military Honours, the arrangements being carried out by the 3rd North Staffordshire Regiment. Prior to the internment a special service was conducted by the Rev. W. Hogg in the Forest Hall Presbyterian Church.
The principal mourners were Mr and Mrs C. E. Procter, father and mother; Mr Rowland Procter, son; My Coysh, aunt; Mr H. H. Hill, uncle Mr and Mrs Procter, grand-parents; Mr and Mrs Fletcher, Mr Jameson, Mr Rushton, Mrs Jameson, Mrs Oubridge, Miss Emmerson, Mr J.H. Procter, Mr Mearns, and Mrs Walker.
The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, was drawn to the cemetery on a gun carriage, and the band of the 3rd North Staffordshire Regiment preceded it, playing the Dead March in "Saul".
Following the carriages were 150 men of the regiment. The pallbearers were Lieut. Gibson, Lieut. Sangster, Lieut. Wood, Lieut. Naisemith, Lieut. Turner and Lieut Hodge. The firing party of 40 ranks and file was under the command of Lieut. Auden. Captain and Adjutant R. E. Negus was also present. At the graveside the Rev, W. Hogg officiated, and at the conclusion three volleys were fired over the grave and the "Last Post" was sounded. There were a large number of people present, and the ceremony was most impressive.
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 26/02/1916 also describes the funeral, but adds that the accident occurred when 2Lt. Procter was performing his first solo flight. He had just past his examinations to enable him to join the Royal Flying Corps. Whilst at the Royal Grammar School he had been a member of the Officers' Training Corps.
Charles Gordon Procter is remembered at Longbenton on L25.02, at Forest Hall on F33.04 and F33.02, also in Jesmond in J1.19
