NER Magazine
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Matthew Whiteman was born in Craghead in 1897 to parents Matthew and Sarah Ann Whiteman. The father was a miner and in 1901 the family lived 1, Albion Street, Witton Park. Matthew’s mother died in 1910. In 1911, Matthew lived at Henry Street in Stanley with his maternal grandfather, George Dean and although only aged 14, was already in employment as a coal miner driver. At this time Matthew’s father was living as a widower with two of his children at Back Mainsforth Row, Ferryhill.
Matthew joined the North Eastern Railway service on March 30th 1914 and worked in the Engineer’s Department at Annfield Plain as a casual gangman. He enlisted on August 14, 1914 and served in the 8th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Matthew died on board the Hospital Ship, Delta, on August 20, 1915, as a result of wounds received in the Dardanelles. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Part XIII, Panel 35A.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Matthew Whiteman is remembered at Stanley on S135.04
He is also remembered at York on the NER Memorial
