In Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 25903 Gunner James William Lazenby, serving with the “A” Battery 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery who died 25/10/1918.

He was the son of  Andrew William and Elizabeth Lazenby, of 74, Milburn Road, Ashington, Northumberland.

Soldiers Died in the Great War states that he was born in Morpeth and enlisted in Leek, Staffordshire.

Margaret Allison reports that in 1911 his address was 36 Mersey Terrace, Ashington, and that he was 33 years old when he died.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

James William Lazenby was the eldest of 12 children of whom by 1911 only 9 had survived.

His mother Elizabeth Kavanaugh was born in the town of Carlow, in Ireland, his father was a native of Morpeth, Northumberland where he was born April 4th 1861 and married Elizabeth at St. Robert of Newminster, Morpeth, May 6th 1884.

James William was born in 1885, Anna Lydia, March 6th 1887, John Joseph 1888 and Charles Stanley, January 30th 1890 while they were living at 2, Stafford’s Yard. Andrew William supported his family employed as a colliery joiner.

By 1901 they had moved to 3, Newgate Street, Morpeth, and Elizabeth had given birth to a further 6 children. Thomas Lyall Lazenby was born in 1891 but died during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1893 not yet 2 years of age while Elizabeth was pregnant with their 6 child who was born during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1893 whom they named Bernard Frederick.

Their daughter Mary Elizabeth was born May 6th 1894 but tragedy befell the family once again when their son Saint Gerard Lazenby was born and died within 3 months of his birth in 1896. Their family continued to grow with the birth of Leonora, December 22nd 1897, affectionately known as Nora and Monica, August 6th 1899 known as Mona.

Andrew William was still the only breadwinner in the family, to increment the family income they had taken in a boarder, Charles S. Storey (57) a shop keeper for his own account

The youngest of their children Robert Stanley and Thomas William Norman Lazenby were born March 10th 1902 and June 5th 1904 respectively By the end of 1904 Andrew William’s parents had both died and in 1910 they lost their 22 year old son John Joseph Lazenby.

James William chose a completely different path than that of his father and younger brothers. In 1911 aged 26 years he was living in Staffordshire where he was an attendant at the County Lunatic Asylum, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire.

As early as 1911 there were already rumblings of a of a possible war with Germany which was declared, August 4th 1914. In answer to Kitchener’s call to arms and the order that all regiments raise new battalions, men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country.

James William Lazenby enlisted in Leek, Staffordshire where he was assigned as Gunner 25903 Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery assigned to the 64th Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

After months of training the 64th Brigade crossed to France landing at Boulogne between May 29th and June 1st 1915. Gunner Lazenby departed to France June 21st 1915 joining “A” Battery 64th (Howitzer) Brigade (12th Divisional Artillery) Royal Field Artillery concentrated near St. Omer. By June 5th they were in the Metered-Steenwerck area under instruction from the more experienced 48th South Midland Division.

They were in action during the Battle of Loos September 30th, in 1916 they arrived on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties, in 1917 they were again in Belgium but were rushed back to France when the German attacked once again on that front March 21st 1918.

Gunner 25903 James William Lazenby died at the 8th Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, France October 25th 1918, no cause of death is indicated. Gunner Lazenby was taken for burial to Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France where he is at rest grave VI. C. 15.  He was 33 years of age and single. 

His father Andrew William received all monies due to his late son from the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 74, Milburn Road, Ashington. He commissioned at a cost of 16 shillings an additional inscription to be added to his late son’s military headstone, it reads, “DEEPLY MOURNED BY HIS LOVING FATHER MOTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS R.I.P.”

When the news arrived of his demise the Lazenby family were already grieving the loss of James William’s younger brother Private Ben Frederick Lazenby which had occurred 1 year prior almost to the day in 1917.

In 1917 their sister Mary Elizabeth was widowed when her husband Corporal Thomas Cookson Leech was killed in Belgium during the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

In 1921 Andrew William Lazenby, his wife, 3 of their adult children, their widowed daughter Mary Elizabeth and her son were still living at 74, Milburn Road, Ashington. Joiner Andrew William Lazenby (60) was employed by the Ashington Coal Company as were his sons Charles Stanley (31) and Robert Stanley (19) working above ground as colliery labourers, Thomas Norman (17) was serving his apprenticeship with the company as a brick layer. They had taken into their home as a boarder 60 year old coal hewer Mr. A. Cochrane.

Andrew William Lazenby died in 1926 registered in Morpeth, Northumberland. Elizabeth Lazenby in 1939 was semi incapacitated and living at 17, Fosse Terrace, Gateshead, historically in County Durham cared for by her daughter Mary Elizabeth who was employed as a golf club stewardess.

Elizabeth Lazenby nee Kavanaugh died March 20th 1941 in Gateshead, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

James William Lazenby is remembered at Ashington on A17.01 (A17.27), A17.28,  A17.40 and A17.43.