In La Ville-aux-Bois British Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 250449 Company Serjeant Major Patrick Finn, M.M., D.C.M. serving with the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 27/05/1918.
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Patrick Finn, the son of Irishman Patrick and Catherine aka Kate, nee Monaghan, was born at at Barnard Castle in 1892.
1891 showed the family living at Greenacre Yard, Barnard Castle. His father was a general labourer. It was noted that Patrick had 5 brothers and 7 sisters. The family in 1891 was made up of siblings Mary, Winifred, Annie and John.
By 1901 the family had grown to include Patrick, Margaret and James. They were now living at Thorngate in the town.
In 1911 Winnie was now head of household. Perhaps their parents died? The others in the family were sister, Annie (now Henderson) who had married but been recently widowed after giving birth to Winifred 5 months previously. She was working with some of her siblings as a mill hand (flax), Margaret a machine spinner (flax) John was a dyer at the flax mill, Patrick a chauffeur and James at the age of 14 was a jobbing gardener. The family of 7 lived in 2 rooms.
Patrick joined the army and originally served under the number 3846 later becoming 250449. He first went to France 18th November 1915. His full military records are not available but his acts of bravery are mentioned several times.
He was first listed as casualty in the Expeditionary Force reported from the Base under date 12th March: “wounded” on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from 21st March 1916.
This man was entitled to wear a “Wound Stripe” as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916, the terms of this award being met by their naming on this list. His rank at this time was as Lance-Corporal.
Patrick was wounded again on November 6th 1916.
When the officers of his company became casualties he took command, and led his men under very heavy shell fire, holding on to successive positions in the face of overwhelming numbers.
He won the first award of the Military Medal at Wancourt Ridge where his actions helped enable 250 prisoners to be taken.
The Auckland Chronicle 24/01/1918 reports:-
The Brave Honoured
On Saturday night, Sergt. Patrick Finn (Barnard Castle) of the 6th Batt. D.L.I. was publicly presented in the Witham Hall with the Military Medal for gallantry and distinguished service on the field. Coun. C Hedley who presided, congratulated the young soldier on thus having upheld the traditions of the old military town, and was glad to see so many towns people turn out, despite the inclement weather to do honour to him who had honoured them by his bravery. Major Heslop then handed the medal to Mrs Heslop, the wife of his son, Acting Major TB Heslop, second in command of the same regiment and she gracefully pinned the souvenir to the recipient’s breast amid a round of lusty cheers. Major Heslop complimented Sergt. Finn on the noble example shown to his fellow townsmen, which he hoped would stimulate those at home who had not yet made up their minds to serve in the V.T.C. Sergt. Finn suitable replied. The members of the local V.T.C. were present as well as the Startforth section of C Co. 2/3 Batt. N.R.V.R. and Cadets. Sergt. Finn who had got his leave extended, left on Sunday for the Front.
The next day as Patrick departed for London a group of friends gave him a gift of £5.
On May 27th 1918 1/6th with the rest of the weakened brigade were destroyed in fighting on the River Aisne. Patrick was killed in action on this date at the battle of the Aisne.
There are several items in the London Gazette regarding his awards. He was also awarded the D.C.M. and added to his Military Medal was a bar.
Gazette 12/11/1917, 09/09/1918 and 10/09/1918.
His brother John was killed in action in 1917.
Patrick Finn is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25, also at Durham in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 131.
