Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Marmaduke was the 2nd born of 4 sons and had 1 elder and 1 younger sister. 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.
On the outbreak of war Marmaduke enlisted at Durham, assigned as Private 2237 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.
He was amongst the main body of men from the battalion that departed from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915 landing in France and within days was fighting as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium, at Armentieres and Kemmel, the two latter considered to be more quiet zones but still subjected to shell and sniper fire on a daily basis.
Wounded in the line of duty he was evacuated back through the lines by the 2nd Northumberland Field Ambulance to St. Judes, Armentieres. Marmaduke Featherstonhaugh died September 1st 1915 and was interred at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery.
The Durham Chronicle 10/09/1915 reports:-
Last week Private Holland a son of the late Mr James Holland of New Elvet, arrived home on a short furlough, and he had grievous news for one Durham Family. Mr and Mrs M.M. Featherstonhaugh of Gray's Terrace, were passing through an anxious time. Their second son, Private Marmaduke Featherstonhaugh, in his letters home, had written in cheerful strain but knowing he was one of those lads who were always ready to relieve anxiety of those near and dear to him by hiding from them experiences which were the reverse of pleasant, they were naturally concerned about him. Though they have not been officially informed of his death, the parents have little reason to doubt that their son, as reported by Private Holland, met his death at the hands of a German sniper on Wednesday of last week.
The following letter from Chaplain W. Bracecamp, of the 3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance RAMC attached to the British Expeditionary Force and dated Sept. 2 was received on Sunday:-Dear Mr Featherstonhaugh – I am exceedingly sorry to have to inform you that your son was killed early this morning and I buried him in a cemetery close to the hospital where he died. Please allow me to express to you my sincere sympathy in your sad bereavement but you have some satisfaction in knowing that your son died for his King and country, a real hero's death. I pray that God may give you grace and strength to bear up under this heavy trial. It is simply wonderful how brave these dear lads are: the character and keenness of these dear Durham lads to their religious duties are simply wonderful. I hope the people of Durham appreciate what is being done for them by these noble lads. I have only known them a few months but I am proud of them. May God's blessing rest upon you is my sincere prayer.
The sympathy of many friends has been extended to Mr and Mrs Featherstonhaugh in their loss. The late Private Featherstonhaugh was born in the city, and was educated at St. Margaret's and Boys' Model School. He was in the employ of Messrs Bell and Adamson corn merchants for about ten years. Eight years ago he joined the 8th DLI and was with that battalion in the action in which the 8th suffered so heavily. On that occasion Private Featherstonhaugh was gassed, but after being in hospital for a fortnight he returned to the trenches. The effects of the gas were, however still in his system and he had again to enter a hospital. He recovered and again took his place in the firing line and it was then that he received the fatal wound. He was 28 years of age.
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. He commissioned at a cost of 18 shillings 2 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone in remembrance of his brother Private William Samuel Featherstonhaugh killed in action September 29th 1916 on the Somme, who has no known grave, it reads, “Also In Memory Of William Samuel Age 20 Brother Of The Above Thy Will Be Done.”
Three of Marmaduke’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.
Marmaduke Featherstonhaugh is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 at Durham on D47.03 D74.054 and as M. Featherston D47.99
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 231
