In Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 4/8784 Private Joseph Rowlands serving with the 10th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 20/09/1915.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Joseph was born at Wingate, Durham in 1881 and baptised on the 28th December 1881. He was a son of John Edward Savage Rowlands and Christina (Bonallie) who was known as Catherine. The couple were married in 1872 and went on to have 13 children although sadly 5 died.
Father John was a joiner in 1891 whilst his eldest son, Edward, was a joiner’s apprentice. Joseph’s siblings at that time included Abigail, Margaret, Elizabeth, Roseina (who died aged 5 years), Catherine and John.
There were 2 additions to the family by 1901, William and George. Their father was now a joiner at the colliery. Son Joseph was working as a general labourer.
By 1911 John was a colliery putter and brother, William, was a colliery pumper. Their father, John, died in 1914.
Joseph joined the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 29th November 1901 serving with the service number 7108. He remained there until his discharge in November 1907. He served in South Africa where he was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal and clasp.
He married his sweetheart of Margaret Jane Gray on the 17th August 1912 at St Silas’s Church, Byker, Newcastle.
Very soon after WW1 broke out he re-joined his old regiment and battalion, enlisting at Bishop Auckland on the 11th August 1914. Unfortunately, several of his military papers are very difficult to read so dates and places cannot be confirmed.
It was noted he had two tattoos on his arms. The right forearm showing “R R” whilst on the left was the Maltese Cross.
He was regularly absent from tattoo beginning in November 1914. His punishments were usually forfeiture of pay and confinement to barracks, sometimes extra guard duties were applied. His absenteeism was much to be desired.
He was posted to France with the 10th battalion on the 11th August 1915 but just over a month later he was killed in action on the 20th September 1915.
His total war service amounted to 1 year 141 days.
His widow was paid a pension for herself and two children as from the 10th April 1916 at 18s shillings 6d pence per week. His children were two daughters named Lizzie Jane and Sarah Ann. Sarah Ann was born on the 19th October 1915 which was a month after her father’s death. The family was at Riseburn, Middridge and then moved back to Byker.
Monies due to Joseph were £2.10s.11d then later £4.0s.0d war gratuity.
Medals: 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; The Western Front Association;
Joseph Rowlands is remembered at Middridge on M51.01, and at Durham in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 254.
