In St. Souplet British Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 82885 Private James Henry Dunning serving with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 23/10/1918.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Henry Dunning was born 1897 at Quebec, County Durham, one of 9 children of whom 7 survived. He was the youngest of 2 sons and had 1 older and 4 younger sisters.
His father, Henry Dunning was a native of Cornsay, County Durham, his mother Mary Thomas originated from Monmouthshire, Wales, born in 1871 and 1876 respectively, were married in the district of Lanchester in 1892. They settled at Wilks Hill where his father was employed as a labourer at the coke ovens.
By 1911 they had moved to 7, Front Street, Quebec. Henry was assisted in supporting his wife and younger children by Joshua (15) who now worked at the pit heap, James (13) was a scholar, Jane (17), Margaret (12), Annie (10), May (5) and Lavinia (3) were at home with their mother. To subsidise the family income they had taken in a boarder, 22 year old Albert Rooney, a hairdresser.
Having completed his education James Henry was working as a putter at the colliery when Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany. In answer to Kitchener’s call to arms and the order that all regiments raise new battalions men from all walks of live volunteered to serve their Country.
James Henry was attested at Newcastle upon Tyne on April 16th 1918 and assigned as Private 82885 Durham Light Infantry. Posted to the 3rd Battalion he left Newcastle for South Shields and Jarrow as part of the Tyne Garrison. The battalion also had the role of retraining the recovering sick and wounded and training new recruits for active service.
Private Dunning departed September 20th 1918 as part of the British Expeditionary Force for France where he was reposted and joined the 2nd Battalion which had been all but annihilated on March 21st 1918 on the Somme with only 60 men escaping death. Fully reinforced, by October they confronted the German Army which was finally forced back by the Allied armies.
Private 82885 James Henry Dunning was killed in action, less than 5 weeks after his arrival at the front, on October 23rd 1918 and interred at St. Souplet British Cemetery, Nord, France, grave 1. A. 26. He was 21 years old and single.
His father Henry received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Henry Dunning died in the district of Durham in 1948 ages 77 years. Details of Mary Dunning nee Thomas are unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Henry Dunning is remembered at Malton on M49.01, at Lanchester on L62.01 and in the D.LI. Book of Remembrance page 293
