In Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 360606 Pioneer James Hope serving with the Royal Engineers who died 01/10/1918.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Hope, was one of 7 children of whom 6 survived. His parents Thomas Hope and Emma Jane Glover were both born at Cannock, Staffordshire, in 1869 and 1868 respectively and were married there in 1893. James was born there in 1893. However, within 3 years they had migrated to the north east and Fred was born at Langley Moor, County Durham in 1897.
They occupied 1, Broom Lane Terrace, Ushaw Moor, in 1901, Thomas was employed as a coal hewer. The remainder of their children were all born at New Brancepeth, County Durham, Ambrose in 1900, Ada 1902, Sidney 1904 and Jack 1908.
In 1911 they were living in 4 rooms at 4, Garden Place, Penshaw, Fence Houses, Thomas had been joined at the colliery by James (17) a putter; Fred (13), Ambrose (11), Ada (9) and Sidney (7) were scholars, Jack (3) remained at home with his mother.
When war with Germany was declared August 4th 1914 James Hope was still living with his parents at 32, Mount Pleasant, Penshaw, Fence Houses, employed as a miner. He enlisted for 3 years or the duration of war, General Service (Infantry), August 25th 1914, at Houghton le Spring, County Durham.
Assigned as Private 11105 to “D” Company, 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment of the Territorial Force, he joined the new recruits at Richmond, Yorkshire. After 99 days of training he was discharged, December 1st 1914, under King’s Regulations 392 (iii), not being likely to become an efficient soldier, reasons given were, “flat feet illegible unable to shoot”.
Determined to enlist he presented himself at Newcastle upon Tyne, on December 10th 1914 and was accepted into the 19th Battalion, a Pals battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 1147. He served for 3 years 82 days in England until March 1st 1918 when he was mobilised and departed with the British Expeditionary Force to the front having been posted to the 35th Signal Company Royal Engineers as Pioneer 360606.
The 35th Signal Company was attached to the 35th Division, maintaining the lines of communication, telephone, wireless and other signalling equipment. In 1918 the 35th Division was in Belgium reinforcing the line in the region north of Ypres. On March 21st they received orders to move south to the Somme as the Germans had attacked again on that front. They returned to Belgium participating during the final Allied offensive and had reached the River Dendre in Belgium when the Armistice ended the fighting, November 11th 1918.
Pioneer 360606 James Hope, Royal Engineers, died at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinge, in Belgium, of wounds received in action on October 1st 1918, a gunshot wound to the head which fractured his skull, and wounds to the chest and arms. Pioneer Hope was interred at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave XXIV. C. 24. He was 25 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him from the Army also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother was awarded an increase to the pension she already received after the death of his brother Frederick Hope in 1917, from 5 shilling a week to 15 shillings a week and 20 shillings a week as of May 31st 1921.
James’s mother Emma Jane Hope nee Glover died in 1921, registered at Houghton le Spring, County Durham. Details as regards his father Thomas Hope are unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Hope is remembered at Penshaw on P29.01 and at Shiney Row on S124.01
