Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Samuel was the 3rd born of 4 sons and had 2 elder sisters. His father Marmaduke Featherstonhaugh Snr married Isabella Heatley in 1883 in the district of Durham, both were born at Durham City in 1861. They settled at 5, Alexandria Crescent, Crossgate and by 1891 had 3 children, Albany born 1884, Mary Elizabeth 1887 and Marmaduke 1889, Marmaduke Snr supported his family employed as a grocer’s assistant. Their family was complete by 1903 with the birth of John Hall Featherstonhaugh preceded by that of Margaret in 1894 and William Samuel in 1897. They had moved to 8, Gray’s Terrace, Crossgate by 1901 and then to number 12 by 1911. Three of their four sons were employed as clerks Albany (27) was working for a newspaper publisher, Marmaduke (21) for a corn merchant and William Samuel (14) for a surveyor. Their sister Mary Elizabeth worked as a telephone operator for the National Telephone Company, Margaret (17) stayed at home, John (8) was a scholar.
He and his brother Marmaduke enlisted at Durham on the outbreak of war, assigned as Private 4094 Durham Light Infantry he joined his regiment at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was posted to the 8th Battalion which had been formed in 1908 from the 4th Volunteer Battalion and sent initially to the coastal defences between Roker and Whitburn.
His brother was amongst the men who departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915. Prior to William's departure he would have received news of his brother Marmaduke's death September 1st 1915. He did not leave England until October 25th 1915 where he joined his battalion in the field attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium at Armentieres and Kemmel. The 8th Battalion remained on the salient until the end of August 1916 when they received orders to move to the Somme. During September 1916 they suffered heavy casualties fighting south of Le Sars and at the Butte de Warlencourt on November 5th.
William Samuel was killed in action September 29th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 20 years of age and single.
The Durham Chronicle October 1916 reports:-
Word has been received from Lieut. Green by Mr and Mrs M. Featherstonhaugh, of Gray's Terrace, Red Hills that their son Pte. Wm. Samuel Featherstonhaugh aged 20 of the DLI fell in a hot fight on September 29. It is only a year ago since Private Marmaduke Featherstonhaugh, his brother, was killed in action. The deceased soldier, who was serving his time as a telephone operator, was in camp as a Territorial at Conway with the DLI when the war broke out, and over a year ago was drafted to France. The sympathy of all Dunelmians goes forth to Mr and Mrs Featherstonhaugh in this their second sad loss.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 12, Gray’s Terrace, Durham.
The news of his death came just over a year after that of his elder brother Marmaduke who whilst serving as Private 2237 with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry had died at St. Judes, Armentieres and interred at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Nord France, grave IX. C. 49. He was 26 years of age.
Some of William Samuel’s first cousins also served during WW1.
William Henry Featherstonhaugh, son of William Featherstonhaugh and Edith Williams served initially with the Royal Army Medical Corp service number 62276 and as Sapper 269435 and W.R.271526, Railways unit. He survived the conflict, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Lisle Lathan son of Michael Lathan and Lydia Featherstonhaugh served as Private 315884 Black Watch Scottish Highlanders and died of wounds November 4th 1918 at La Cateau General Hospital and interred at La Cateau Military Cemetery, grave II. B. 23, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Aged 27 years of age he left a widow Annie and son James Theodore Lathan aged 4 years.
Lisle’s brother Vivian Lathan serving as Sergeant 16613 King’s Own Scottish Borderers died of wounds August 16th 1916 and interred at Warloy Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave VII. C. 27. He was 20 years of age and single, recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Their sacrifice is recorded on Craghead Cenotaph.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Samuel Featherstonhaugh is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 at Durham on D47.03 D74.054 D47.99 and D47.125
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 267 and in the Battalion History D47.156
