In La Laiterie Military Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 1230 Private William Montgomery, serving with the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 16/07/1916.
He was the son of Mrs. E. Montgomery, of 22 Back, Wesley Terrace, Felling on Tyne.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Montgomery was born at Felling, Gateshead, historically in County Durham, in 1893, one of 8 children, all of whom survived, he was the eldest of 6 sons and 2 daughters. His parents Peter Montgomery and Emma Newton were natives of Felling born 1867 and 1969 respectively, they were married at Gateshead n 1893. They moved to 5, John Street, Peter was employed as a general labourer. By 1911 the family was complete, living in 3 rooms at 12, Lamas Street, William (17) was working as a waggonway-man at the colliery and his father were employed as a chemical labourer.
June 7th 1911 William joined the Army at Felling and was assigned as Private 1230, “E” Company 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. From July 30th 1911 until August 13th 1911 he was stationed at the barracks at Strensall, York before being transferred to Scarborough.
After the outbreak of war on August 4th 1914 Private Montgomery was embodied at Gateshead on August 5th 1914 and posted to the 1st/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry Depot at Newcastle upon Tyne. He departed from Newcastle railway station April 19th 1915 bound for Folkestone and crossed to Boulogne, France where the regiment landed April 20th.
Within days he was fighting in the front line trenches during the Battle of Ypres in Belgium where the Durhams suffered casualties due to shelling and gas attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde ridges but were spared the heavy losses suffered by the other forces. As part go the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division the 1st/9th served until August 1916 in the trenches on the Ypres salient and Armentieres.
Private 1230 William Montgomery Durham Light Infantry was killed in action July 16th 1916, his body transported to La Laiterie Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres, Belgium where he was interred grave VII. C. 1.
As his sole legitimate beneficiary his mother Emma received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at the new family address of 22, Back Wesley Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
William’s mother Emma Montgomery nee Newton died in 1940 aged 71 years his father Peter Montgomery died aged 79 years in 1948, both registered in the district of Durham NE.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop’s Local Advertiser 18/08/1916
William Montgomery is remembered at Felling on F32.06, in the 9th Battalion Book of Remembrance page 29 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 184.
