In Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 45605 Private Charles Joseph Graham serving with the 15th battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 27/10/1916.

He was the son of Charles Joseph and Isabella Graham, of 15, Edmund Street Bearpark Colliery, Durham.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:

Charles Joseph Graham was an only son, one of 5 children of whom only 4 survived to adulthood.

His father Charles Joseph Graham Snr was born in Cockfield, County Durham in 1861, he was the son of coal miner John Henry Graham, native of Langley and Mary Margaret Binks born in Barnard Castle, both in County Durham, who were married, November 27th 1853 at the Parish Chapel in the Chaplaincy of St. Margaret, Durham. Charles Joseph was only 4 years old when his father died, October 2nd 1865 at Framwelgate Moor, Durham. Widow Mary Margaret to support her younger children worked as a dressmaker, her daughter Jane (16) was employed as a brick maker, John (14) was a water leader in the coal mine, Charles Joseph (10), Thomas (8) and Ernest (6) were scholars.

Charles Joseph Graham was married in 1881 to Isabella Bellerby, true surname Bland, born in Crook, County Durham, in 1860. She was the daughter of Mary Ostle who was the second wife of Samuel Bland. Isabella was the youngest of their 6 children and only 1 year old when her father Samuel died. In 1861 Mary Bland and her 6 children were living at 68, Thristleflat, Witton Gilbert, also in the household was a boarder, William Bellerby (36). Mary remarried in 1867 to William Bellerby and the children took his surname. 

Charles Joseph and Isabella’s daughter Jane Ann was born at Pity Me, County Durham in 1882, Ellen  at Chester Moor in 1894 and Charles Joseph at South Moor in 1896. In 1901 Charles Joseph Snr was employed as a coal miner, the family were living at Elm Street in the village of Chester Moor where their daughter Lily was born later that year. 

Jane Ann Graham married James Pritchard in the district of Durham in 1909 with whom by 1911 she had had a child, however she was listed in the census of 1911 at her parents home at 18, Witton Street, Clink, a name given to the area of Witton Gilbert historically used as Durham County Penitentiary. Charles Joseph although only 14 years of age was already working below ground at the colliery as a pony driver, Lily 10 was a scholar, the whereabouts of Ellen Graham is unknown.

When Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 4th 1914, men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms and the order that all regiments raise new battalions. Aged 19 years and 6 months old coal miner Charles Joseph Graham left his employment and enlisted at Sacriston, County Durham, December 11th 1915, giving the name of his father as next of kin ,who still resided at Witton Street.

He was mobilised, February 16th 1916 at Retford and posted as Private 4297 to the 2nd/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry of the Territorial Force which had been formed after the declaration of war then March 30th posted to the 3rd/5th, formed from men of the 2nd Line. As well as training the new volunteers it also took up the task of guarding the coast. From the 3rd Line he was directly posted to the 1st/5th Battalion D.L.I. June 15th 1916 and departed from Southampton, June 19th, disembarking the following day at Le Havre, France.

Private Graham remained at the 50th Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre until July 10th when he was ordered to proceed and join his regiment in the field. His arrival coincided with preparations already underway for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme. Programmed to begin June 29th 1916 the opening attacks were delayed by bad weather until July 1st 1916. At 7.30 a.m. after two huge detonations in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines, the whistles blew and the men went over the top. The 1st/5th did not take part in any major battles until the latter part of 1916.

Private Graham, with a change of service number, as Private 45605 was attached to the 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, September 10th 1916. The battalion as part of the 64th Brigade, 21st Division, was in action during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd, Morval, September 25th-28th and Le Transloy, October 1st-18th.

Having taken ill September 23rd 1916 Private Graham was evacuated from the battlefield back through the lines by the 1st New Zealand Field Ambulance and as his condition worsened he was transferred to the 1st Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, October 7th 1916 where he died October 30th 1916.

A report sent to the Officer In Charge, Infantry Sec. No.3, 3rd Echelon, reads as follows, “The marginally mentioned man died in this hospital as a result of Appendicitis with General Peritonitis supervening. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Etaples on the 30-10-1916.”

His father Charles Joseph Graham received all monies due to his late son from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and via the Infantry Records Office No.1 York, January 22nd 1918, his late son’s personal items consisting of, “a cotton bag containing; 1 ring, disc, purse, photos and cards, prayer book, illegible and 6 Religious books,” sent to him at 18, Witton Street, Witton Gilbert, County Durham.

April 5th 1918 Isabella Graham was awarded a pension of 8 shillings to be received weekly and back-dated to March 26th 1918.

Private 46056 Charles Joseph Graham Durham Light Infantry is at rest within Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France grave VIII. E. 15A, he was 20 years of age and single. His father commissioned at his own expense an additional inscription to be added to his late son’s military headstone, it reads, “GOD BE WITH US UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ONLY SON.”

After the demise of their son his parents moved to 15, Edmund’s Street, Bearpark Colliery, County Durham. Charles Joseph Graham died in Easington in 1930, his widow Isabella Graham nee Bellerby (Bland) in 1933, both registered in County Durham.

With the loss of their only son and heir this line of the Graham family ceased to exist.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Charles Joseph Graham is remembered at Witton Gilbert on W123.01 and W123.05.