On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 26/16 Private Edward Addison serving with the 26th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 01/07/1916.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Addison was born 1881 at Rainton, County Durham, the youngest son of Robert Addison native of Howick, Northumberland born 1835 and his wife Elizabeth Hart born 1837 at Chester le Street, County Durham. He was one of 5 known children, 4 sons and a daughter, his parents were married in the district of Chester le Street in 1862. Robert Addison was employed as a miner as were Edward’s elder brothers, the family were living at 13, Blast Row, Haslington in 1891. By 1901 they had moved to 35, Spout Lane, Washington, now 66 years old his father was secretary of the (miners) relief fund, James (38) was a hewer, Edward (20) also worked at the colliery as a banks-man, whilst his sister Margaret (34) was employed at the chemical factory.
Edward married in the district of Gateshead, historically in County Durham in 1903 to widow Ellen Jane Donaldson, nine years his senior, born at Heworth in 1872. She had a son from her previous marriage James Victor Donaldson born 1896 at Cotehill, historically in Cumberland. She and Edward went on to have 4 daughters, Sarah Ellen 1904, Margaret Jane 1905, Ellen 1907 and Frances Ann in 1910.
On the outbreak of war on August 4th 1914 Edward was 33 years old and one of the first in the queue to enlist at Newcastle upon Tyne, November 1914, assigned as Private 16 to the 26th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. After initial training near home they joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 where the Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, the Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge and the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
Private 26/16 Edward Addison Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916, he was 35 years old. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France commemorating servicemen from South Africa and Great Britain who died on the Somme 1915-March 1918 who have no known grave.
His widow Ellen Jane received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The loss of her husband would have most certainly intensified her fear for her son. James Victor Donaldson who had enlisted at Felling, assigned as Private 25328 to the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He departed to France October 12th 1915. Private Donaldson died of wounds sustained on active service June 6th 1917 and interred at Achiet-Le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, 19 kilometres from Arras, Pas de Calais, France, grave I. J. 6. Awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Ellen Jane Addison-Donaldson died in the district of Durham NE in 1942 aged 70 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Addison is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
