In Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 28206 Private Thomas Crummey serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 08/01/1917. 

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Thomas Crummey was the youngest of his siblings and had a half brother. 

Thomas’ father Dennis Crummey was born at Gateshead, historically in County Durham in 1856 where he married in 1874  Joan Regan who was born at Barrass Court, Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, January 24th 1854 and had a son of her own, Patrick Linheny Regan born at 4, Backfield Street, Gateshead, County Durham, July 27th 1872. 

Dennis and Joan’s son Andrew David was born, November 22nd 1876 and baptised at St Joseph’s Gateshead, January 11th 1877 and Mary, May 31st 1878, baptised at St Joseph’s, Gateshead, July 14th. In 1881. 

Dennis, Jane and their two children in 1881 were living at 12, Backfield Street, Gateshead, where Dennis was a labourer but Patrick Regan (8) was living as one of four boarders at a lodging house run by Ann Callagan at Bakehouse Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, listed as a scholar. Patrick had returned to the Crummey household at 60, Peareth Street, Gateshead, by 1891 and was listed as Patrick Crummey (17) a cartman. 

In 1891 Dennis Crummey was employed as a cement labourer, Andrew (14) as an errand boy. Joan had given birth to a further 2 children Joseph in 1888 and Margaret Jane, September 18th 1889, baptised at St. Joseph’s, October 13th, their elder sister Mary (12) was a scholar. Over the next 4 years Joan gave birth to John in 1892 and Thomas, March 19th 1895. Sadly Joseph Crummey died aged 13 years, June 7th 1900. 

The Crummey family had moved to 26, Chandless Street by 1901. Dennis was a general labourer but Andrew (25) was working in the same capacity for the railway. The younger children Margaret (11) John (9) and Thomas (6) although of school age are not listed as scholars and cared for at home by their mother. 

By 1911 the Crummey family were living at 35, Leazes in Gateshead. Their married daughter Mary May Thompson had come to live with them bringing her baby daughter Mary with her. John (19) worked for the railways and Thomas (16) was employed as a fruiterer’s cartman. 

As early as 1911 there were already rumblings of a possible war with Germany which was declared August 4th 1914. In answer to Kitchener’s call to arms and the order that all regiments raise new battalions, men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country. 

Thomas Crummey did not enlist immediately, he was attested at Gateshead, December 12th 1915, declaring he was 20 years and 277 days of age, living at Leazes Street, employed as a horseman. He was posted to the Army Reserve that same day as Private 28206 and not called upon to serve until January 21st 1916 when he was mobilised and posted to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

The 4th Battalion D.L.I. had been at Barnard Castle at the beginning of the war, once mobilised it moved to the Tyne Defences, then to Killingworth and Forest Hall. As of September 1915 it had been stationed at Seaham Harbour where Private Crummey joined his regiment. Although it was now part of the coastal defences the battalion also trained men for active service overseas. 

Forewarned of his imminent posting overseas Private Thomas Crummey married at St. Joseph’s Gateshead, April 24th 1916  Catherine Ellen Logan who was born at Blyth, Northumberland, February 12th 1892. Private Crummey departed to France where he posted to the 2nd Battalion D.L.I., May 18th 1916.

Private Crummey joined his regiment in the field in Belgium where the men had spent their second winter in the mud filled tranches of the Ypres salient. 

Preparations were already underway in the spring of 1916 for the offensive due to begin on the Somme which began with the opening attack at Albert, July 1st 1916. 

The 2nd Battalion D.L.I. attached to the 18th Brigade, 6th Division made its way south to the Somme, there first major action was during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd then at Morval, September 25th-28th, Le Transloy, October 1st-18th before moving to the Cambrin sector where it was joined in December 1916 by the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

At the beginning of January 1917 there was much shelling and sniper action in the sector. Private 28206 Thomas Crummey was killed in action, January 8th 1917 and his body taken for burial to Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, 800 yards behind the front line it was used for battlefield burials until February 1917. 

Private Thomas Crummey D.L.I. is at rest grave T. 14, he was 21 years of age. Buried in grave T 12. is Lieutenant J. H. Edwards Durham Light Infantry native of Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne.

There is no mention in Private Crummey’s military record of his returning to England on leave, it is probable that his new bride never saw him again. 

Catherine Ellen as sole legitimate beneficiary received all monies due to her late husband from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, also a pension of 13 shillings 9 pence a week as of July 16th 1917, sent to her at 45, Burden Street, Gateshead, County Durham. 

By the time works were completed at Cambrin Extension Cemetery, Catherine Ellen had moved to 141a, School Street, Gateshead. She commissioned at a cost of 12 shillings 10 pence an additional inscription to be added to her late husband’s military headstone, it reads, “HIS NAME IS DEAR TO MEMORY ’TIS GRAVEN ON OUR HEARTS R.I.P.’

In 1921 Catherine Ellen was living at 8, School Street, Gateshead listed as head of the household. In her home were also listed Walter Ryatt employed as an assistant at Armstrong College, his wife Ethel and their daughter Doris. 

Further details of Catherine Ellen Crummey nee Logan, are unknown.

Thomas’ father Dennis Crummey died in 1919, his mother Joan Crummey nee Regan, April 25th 1928 at 72, Peareth Street, Gateshead, County Durham, she was interred in a common grave at East Cemetery, Gateshead, Division 30, grave 1100.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

 Thomas Crummey is remembered at Gateshead on G39.04 as Crumbie and in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance page 4.