Illustrated Chronicle 03/06/1916
Photo : Brian Chandler
In Seghill (Holy Trinity) Churchyard) is a family headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
Ellen Ann
The beloved wife of
Robert StrasenburghWho died April 17th 1922
Aged 54 years.
Also the above
Robert Strasenburgh
who died Jany. 10th 1924
aged 66 years.
also Catherine Kidd their
daughter died Decr. 15th 1909
aged 9 years and 9 months.
Also L.Corp. Frederick John N.F.
Their son killed in action
April 27th 1915, aged 28 years.
Also A.B. John Regan, R.N.D.
Their son killed in action
June 4th 1915, aged 19½ years.
John was born on the 24th December 1895. He was working as a miner living with his parents at Hedley's Buildings, New York, Shiremoor when he enlisted in the Royal Naval Division on the 7th November 1914.
He joined the Anson Battalion on the 7th February 1915 and was posted as missing later reported as being killed in action on the 4th June 1915. Able Seaman Buckingham reported "He was shot in the left breast and was left on the parapet of the Turkish trench. When we got back to our trench five or six Turks were seen to be bayoneting our wounded."
Newcastle Journal - Friday 02/06/1916.
NAVAL BRIGADE KILLED
Mrs Strasenburgh, of Hedley's Buildings, New York, has been officially informed that her son, John Regan Strasenburgh, A.B., of the Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, was killed in action on June 14, 1915. He had previously been reported missing.
Acknowledgements to his great-niece Wendy Howells.
Research: Colin Boyd
John Regan Strasenburgh is remembered in New York on N53.02 and N53.03
