In Heworth St. Mary Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of :-
130377 Private
P. Derrick
Royal Army Medical Corps
17th February 1918 Age 40
On Whose Soul
Sweet Jesus Have Mercy
R.I.P.
Gone But Not Forgotten
He was the husband of Ellen Derrick, of Gallon’s Yard, Felling.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Patrick Derrick was born 1878 at Bill Quay, County Durham, one of 8 known children, 5 sons and 3 daughters. His father Robert Derrick, a general labourer, was born 1848 in Ireland and married Mary Ann native of Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham, settling in her home town of Heworth, Gateshead, historically in County Durham in 1891 they were living near Brewery Lane.
Patrick married at Gateshead in 1900 Matilda Jane McIntyre and with whom he had 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters. Their daughter Matilda Jane was born during the 2nd quarter of 1905, either giving birth to her or a short time after, his wife Matilda aged only 25 years, died during the same quarter. Left with four children under the age of 5 years in 1909 Patrick (listed as Patrick Derwick) remarried in the district of Gateshead to Ellen Wake, the following year Patrick Jnr was born, in 1911 they were living at Gallons Yard, Felling Shore, Patrick was employed by Felling Council as a general labourer.
Unfortunately, his military record no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2. It is known that he was firstly assigned as Private 248090 to the Labour Corps, later transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps 10th Company as Private 130377. The horrors of war that he witnessed took a heavy toll on Private Derrick, he was evacuated back to England and admitted to Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham, Kent. Fort Pitt had been a military hospital since 1803, its primary role changed in 1828 to being a hospital for invalided soldiers and an asylum was added in 1860.
Private 130377 Patrick Derrick Royal Army Medical Corps died February 17th 1918 at Fort Pitt having committed suicide. At the request of his wife his body was transported to his home town of Heworth. The Army would have organised this however the expense would have been met by his wife, he was interred at Heworth St. Mary Churchyard, SE part. His widow paid the sum of 15 shillings 2 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy-R.I.P.-Gone But Not Forgotten. Private Derrick was 40 years old.
Ellen received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and all 5 children andhis awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at Gallons Yard, Felling Shore, Gateshead, County Durham. She never remarried and died in the district of Gateshead aged 85 years in 1967.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Patrick Derrick is probably remembered at Heworth as R. Derrick on H92.03 and at Felling on F32.06 F32.22 and F32.24
