In St. Andrew’s and Jesmond Cemetery, Newcastle upon Tyne, is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
1227 Private
W. Cameron
Northumberland Fusiliers
14th October 1914.
Royal Victoria Infirmary Coroner’s Reports No. 387 15th October 1914.
William Cameron, 21 years, Private 7th Batt N.F. (T). Gosforth Park Camp. Electrocuted on N.E.R. at Shiremoor at 10.15 am on 14th.
Deceased whilst on Military Duty and crossing the Blyth and Tyne Sections of the N.E.R. between Backworth and Monkseaton Stations accidentally stumbled and fell on to the electrified rail and was electrocuted.
David Thompson has submitted the following:-
William Cameron was born on 11 March 1893, in the Belford area of Northumberland, the son of George Robson and Barbara Cameron.
Educated at Belford National School.
On leaving school, apprenticed to William Johnson and lived with him at Belford before moving to Alnwick.
Pre-enlistment occupation: Apprentice Joiner.
‘Soldiers Died…’ records the place of enlistment as Bedford, Bedfordshire. Conceivably, this may have been transcribed incorrectly and Cameron probably enlisted at Belford, Northumberland.
Died during training with the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers for service overseas, at Gosforth Park Camp. While crossing the Blyth and Tyne Sections of the North Eastern Railway line between Backworth and Monkseaton Stations, at 10:15 hours on 14 October 1914 Cameron accidentally stumbled, fell onto the electrified rail and was electrocuted.
The Berwick Advertiser, 23/10/1914, gave a detailed account of events.
‘Accidental Death’ was the verdict returned at an inquest held at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. It was reported that the Company had crossed the railway line at Benton Station, word having been passed down the line to beware of the ‘live’ rail, but it happened that Cameron had reason to re-cross the rail when he stumbled and fell. Lance-Sergeant N. Wright of the Royal Army Medical Corps gave evidence to record Cameron was dead when he reached him. Cameron had burns across both knees, his face, and on the thumb.
Cameron’s funeral took place at Newcastle from the RVI. ‘C’ Company provided a full military service with firing party and under-bearers, and there was a large attendance of men from the camp.
Belford Museum have researched his story.
William Cameron is remembered at Belford on B16.01 and B16.02 page 2 and in the Battalion History.
