On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, is the name of 956 Private Joseph Rennison serving with the 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 01/07/1916.
He was the son of Mary Ann Rennison, of Hill Top, Ushaw, and the late William Rennison and the husband of Sarah Ann Rennison, of 4, Lime Terrace, Langley Park, Co. Durham.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Rennison was the 2nd born of 4 sons and had 1 elder and 2 younger sisters, all of whom survived. His father William James Rennison was born at Durham City in about 1857 and married in 1876 to Mary Ann Lister of Thornley, County Durham born 1856. Their son Thomas and daughter Sarah Ann were born at Brandon and Bear Park in 1878 and 1880 respectively, Joseph at Crossgate in 1881 whilst they were living at Ushaw Lane, Crossgate, Durham, where his father supported the family employed as a blacksmith and fireman at the colliery. Three years later they had moved to Cassop where in 1884 George Richard was born, followed by John Robert in 1887 at Bearpark. They had returned to Durham City by 1891 occupying 19, Swan Street, Elvet, William James was now an engine-man (coal mine). They again returned to Bearpark where Mary Ann was born in 1892 and had transferred to Esh by 1899 living at 7, Rutter Square when Hannah was born in 1899. Joseph (20) had joined his father at the colliery employed as a coal miner as had George Richard (17) and John (14).
By 1911 only George Richard, John and Hannah were still living with their parents at 5, Consett Terrace, Esh Village. Joseph had married in the district of Lanchester in 1906 to Sarah Ann Hughes born November 5th 1880 at Langley Park, County Durham. They settled at Esh Village where their children Violet, Gladys and John Thomas were born, June 14th 1906, 1908 and November 5th 1910 respectively. In 1911 they occupied 3 rooms at 4, Lime Street, Langley Park with Gladys and John, Violet (4) was living with her grandparents William and Sarah Hughes at 13, West Terrace, Esh Winning along with their married daughter Emily, son-in-law Edwin Pickengill and their son John Thomas also their nephew John Edward Hughes. Joseph and Sarah Ann’s youngest child Sarah was born during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) of 1914.
When war was declared with Germany Joseph Rennison left his employment as a coal miner and enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, November 16th 1914, assigned as Private 956 to the newly formed 23rd (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. The 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd Pals Battalions moved to Alnwick Camp in the grounds of Alnwick Castle in March 1915 and formed the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. Taken over by the War Office in August that year they were sent to Salisbury Plain for final training and crossed to France in January 1916. Preparations were already underway for the commencement of the, Big Push, on the Somme. The first major attack was to take place June 29th 1916, however, it was postponed due to bad weather until July 1st. The Division attacked during the Battle of Albert at La Boisselle sustaining high casualties, wounded and dead.
Private 956 Joseph Rennison Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action July 1st 1916, his sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and have no known grave. He was 35 years of age.
His widow of 4, Lime Street, Langley Park, received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the British War Meal and Victory Medal.
Although his younger brothers would have been eligible to serve during WW1 no records have been found.
Details of their children; Violet Rennison married in 1930 in the district of Lanchester to George Robert Proud, born July 28th 1904 and with whom she had a son Robert Jnr born November 14th 1935. In 1939 they were living at Quebec Street, Langley Park, where George Robert was employed as a labourer at the coke works. George Robert Proud died in 1955 aged 50-years, Violet Proud nee Rennison aged 90-years, January 12th 1996 and their son Robert Proud in 2001 aged 66-years, all registered in County Durham.
John Thomas Rennison married Mary Eileen Butler, born August 12th 1913, in 1937 in the district of Lanchester. In 1939 Mary Eileen was living alone at 16, Woodsley Grove, Leeds, Yorkshire, as John, a milkman by trade was a patient at St. Marys Infirmary, 3, Greenhill Road, Armlet, Leeds. John Thomas Rennison died aged 33-years in 1944, Mary Eileen Rennison nee Butler in 1991 aged 78-years, both registered at Leeds, Yorkshire.
Sarah Rennison remained single and died in County Durham aged 17-years in 1931.
Exact details as regards Gladys Rennison as yet unknown.
Joseph’s father William James Rennison died in 1925 aged 65-years, his widow Mary Ann Rennison nee Lister aged 75-years in 1931, both registered in the district of Lanchester, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Rennison is remembered at Esh on E75.01 and at Langley Park on L64.01 and L64.02
